Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels

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Saturday, March 13th, 2010
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

2-time world champion blues harmonica ace CARLOS del JUNCO – and his BLUES MONGRELS - In Concert at the Sid!

IF YOU HAVE A HANKERING TO HEAR SOME OF THE BEST BLUES AND JAZZ HARMONICA ON THE PLANET...CARLOS del JUNCO IS YOUR GUY!

He’s hands down one of the greatest, with two world titles to back it up! Back by adamant demand after his last sold out shows on Vancouver Island, world champion blues and jazz harmonica player Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels comes to the Sid in a first time ever theatre show in Courtenay.

Carlos del Junco is touring on the heels of his latest cd release ‘Steady Movin’ which critics say belongs at the very top of your “must-buy” list this year. "Blues from another planet, another time, or at least an alternate plane of consciousness by Carlos del Junco and his fellow alien guitarist Kevin Breit (Sisters Euclid), will swing, sway, rock, and transport you to whatever amazing world they share on this latest gift.”

Born in Havana Cuba, del Junco (loosely translated "of the reeds") immigrated to Canada as a young child, discovered the harmonica and the rest, as they say is history. One listen and it’s obvious he’s in a class with such greats as Toots Theilmans, Paul Butterfield and Howard Levy, formerly of Bela Fleck’s Flecktones. A true virtuoso in every sense of the word, Cuban born del Junco is known as the worlds best, holding not one but two Gold Medals from the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen, Germany, as well as multiple national and international awards.

For erudite “harp” blowers: del Junco plays a ten hole diatonic harmonica, and has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using an "overblow" technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy and is more expressive and communicative than the mechanised tone produced by the chromatic harmonica. Carlos is one of the few pioneers of this overblow method.

Simply put for the rest of us, Carlos del Junco plays the harmonica like nobody else. He's a marvel to listen to, a freak of nature who does to the harp what Bela Fleck does to the banjo. Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, technically adept and highly emotional he’s at once sensitive, soulful, and sexy while never forgetting the rawness inherent in blues music. Joined by his superb band, del Junco delivers an astonishingly seamless fusion of blues, jazz, swing Latin, the occasional African, hip-hop and ska melody blues, and swampy roots rock, blowing audiences away with every outstanding performance.

Working with the likes of Dutch Mason, Domenic Troiano, Hoc Walsh (Downchild Blues Band), Holly Cole and Ray Charles whom he performed the opening set for at the Hummingbird Centre for Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival to a standing ovation. With Maple Blues awards, Juno nominations, multiple 'blues artist' titles (including prestigious Jazz Report's blues artist of the year), and seven CD’s, not only has he carved out an international reputation in music, he has, in the process elevated the status of the humble mouth harp to the equivalent of a Stradivarius violin!

Joining Carlos are bassist Henry Heillig ( founded the nine piece latin/funk/salsa/jazz band Manteca, musical director for both the Genie and Gemini Awards, toured with pianist Joe Sealy), and drummer Jordon John (Jeff Healey, Lucky Peterson, Kevin Breit, Burton Cummings, Pinetop Perkins and Prince), and guitarist.

Tickets are on sale now at the Sid Box office. 1866-898-8499 or online at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com

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Off the Couch Productions
Courtenay, BC, Canada