He was a key figure in the history of Brazilian music, having played with many of Brazil's greatest musicians across many decades and featured on numerous important recordings.

Das Neves grew up in Rio de Janeiro in the 1940s and by the age of 14 was already learning his trade as a percussionist, studying under Moacir Santos.

[1] In 1964, Wilson das Neves recorded with Os Ipanemas, a band with Astor Silva (trombone) Marinho, Rubens Bassini (percussion) and Neco (guitar).

During his career das Neves worked with many great international artists including Sarah Vaughan, Toots Thielemans, Sy Oliver and Michel Legrand.

In Brazil he played with key musicians from the MPB movement such as Roberto Carlos, Chico Buarque, Eumir Deodato, Elizeth Cardoso, Clara Nunes, Elza Soares, Elis Regina, Alcione and Beth Carvalho.