If you are a fan of the mouth harp you won’t want to miss Carlos del Junco blues harmonica and the Blues Mongrols Friday March 9, at the Errington Hall.
Described as sophisticated and raw, his playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz. The emphasis is on blues, but del Junco and his band also deliver a seamless fusion of New Orleans second line grooves, swing, Latin, hip-hop or ska melodies to swampy roots rock.
His musical achievements include two gold medals from the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Germany swell as multiple national awards in Canada, two Juno nominations, the same number of blues awards and eight time Harmonica Player of the year.
Born in Havana, Cuba, he immigrated with his family at age one. He bent his first note on a harmonica when he was 14 making his debut with his high school math teacher at a student talent night. Del Junco is now one of the few pioneers of this overblow method.
Tickets for the March 9 show at 8 p.m. are $25 at Cranky Dog Music in Parksville, Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach and at the Errington Store.