I believe he was the European National champ a few years ago. Found out about him watching an amp demo through ebay a few years ago. Saw him play at the Florida Harmonica Championships also a few years ago. Excellent player with very good showmanship. If not some of the best showmanship I have ever seen live form a harp player. That's about all I know anyway...
Here is that demo vid. Tasty little bit of playing. Wish I had bought that amp...
Also saw him at the Florida Harmonica Championships.
He is most professional (almost shouldn't have been allowed to compete in FL as he was way ahead of all the other contestants in regards to career, touring, etc).
Apparently he is a big James Cotton fan. There is a great YouTube video of him performing Cottons "Creeper"
I think he may live part of the year in South Florida. He used to frequent the weekly blues jam that I now attend. Those that knew him well spoke highly of not only his playing, but a genuine down to earth kind of guy. I saw him last week, as a featured guest for a blues band called "Steady Freddie". They were a great band, but Nico really seemed to "steal the show" without trying to. Great show overall and a great learning experience as well!
I missed his show, but everybody I met at the IBC on Friday was talking about Nico Wayne Toussaint. And it's not hard to find some absolutely kickass clips on YouTube. He's got a great sound, intimidatingly fast and powerful chops, and--not least--enough energy for two ordinary harp players.
He made it to the finals but did not win. It's hard to win the IBC's, no matter how good you are.
