Profil en Francais | Biographie en Français
Carlos del Junco plays the harmonica like nobody else in the world. Born in Havana, Cuba, Carlos is a pioneer of the 10-hole diatonic harmonica.
Throughout his concert and festival performances with his four piece band, you may hear an eclectic palette of jazz, blues, swing, Latin, funky New Orleans and the occasional African, hip-hop, and ska melody. As a singer, you will hear a voice almost as unique as his harp playing as Carlos offers fresh renditions of classic blues and jazz standards.
While respected as a blues artist, the music played by harmonica maestro del Junco transcends all categorization into sheer artistry bringing musical credibility to what has still been considered by many, a fringe folk instrument. His command of the harmonica is absolute – he plays with all the subtleties and nuances of a classical violinist to the edgier sounds of a blues rocker.
Carlos fuses his respect for tradition with a fresh, innovative, and truly modern approach. Audiences are blown away at every performance and return for more at show after show.
A Few Quotes
A model of focus and urgency... a true virtuoso.
Toronto Globe and Mail
"I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic time we had with Carlos and his band. Even the motel manager called to let me know what nice men they were! I am still asking my friends that accompanies me to the concert, did we really experience that incredible concert in Buhl!?! Carlos is a true master of his instrument. I was chuckling to myself, remembering back to my childhood, the terrible noises my parents had to endure listening to me and my sister puffing away on the little plastic toy harmonicas we would get as Christmas stocking stuffers. All I can say is that I now have a new found respect for the instrument and the man who plays it so beautifully! The band members were also exceptional performers in their own right. We would have liked to have had additional solo performances from each of them!" - Kelly Daluiso, Executive Director, Buhl Arts Council
Really outstanding. Carlos del Junco is happening!!!
Charlie Musselwhite
"del Junco would send all but a dozen harmonica players on the globe running for cover. One listen to the man who bent his first notes on a harmonica at the age of 14 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." - Edmonton Journal
"Bonjour, un petit mot pour dire comment c'était un excellent spectacle. En effet, la presentation de Carlos Del Junco a été grandement appréciée du public présent au spectacle. Tout le monde on dit la même chose : Carlos est un fou de l'harmonica, il joue comme un virtuose, il est incroyable ! C'est le meilleur qu'ils ont vu jusqu'à maintenant, et d'autant plus qu'il est une personne simple et près de son public. Merci d'avoir partagé avec nous un de vos meilleurs artistes et on espère revoir Carlos revenir à Matane dans le futur...une fois de plus." - Michèle Ouellet, Kaméléart Matane, Gaspésie, QC
Awards
- Blues Musician of the Year Award Jazz Report Magazine
- Harmonica Player of the Year - Seven times out of the Canadian Maple Blues Award's 11-year history
- World’s best in both diatonic blues and diatonic jazz - Two Gold Medals Hohner World Harmonica Championship – Trossingen, Germany
Press coverage
Two reviews on Carlos opening for Ray Charles at the
Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts: "Hitting
the eclectic notes that Charles missed was harmonica virtuoso
Carlos del Junco and his three-piece who opened the show.
Drawing on elements of blues, jazz and Latin music, del
Junco mixed reverence with mischievous innovation on lively
numbers such as 'Jitterbug Waltz' from Fats Waller and Jackie
Benston's 'Rocket 88.'" - Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
"Opening for the show was local harmonica genius Carlos
del Junco.Backed by a standard guitarist, drummer and bass
player, the set began with an extraordinary long solo which
received a great response. The 'Jitterbug Waltz' and his own
song, 'Heddon Tadpooley Spook,' were other highlights. Perhaps the oddest moment of the night happened during del
Junco's closing number, 'Rocket 88.' With the house lights
slowly rising, the musician continued performing until he
could see basically everyone in the venue. What he also saw
though was a standing ovation from half of the audience."
- Jason MacNeil, Toronto Sun
Toronto Star - July 4, 2005 PDF (318K)
PDF review from Blue Review Magazine
(240 K)
PDF Review (Français)
Harmonica hero can't be overblown .
It may be small and inconspicuous, but in the hands of Carlos
del Junco, the harmonica makes it big.
Read
more
Presenter Comments
"Avec ses styles musicaux très variés, Carlos Del Junco a été une très belle découverte pour notre public. J'ai eu plusieurs beaux commentaires du public me disant merci de leur avoir fait passer une belle soirée et surtout de découvrir un artiste de grand talent." - André Lambert,Directeur général, OVASCÈNE
"Thank you so much for a great concert and your professionalism toward the audience. Everyone I've spoken with since Tuesday night has nothing but nice things to say about the concert and your wonderful rapport with the audience. It was nice to hear. It was a pleasure to work with you and to meet you. Thank you again for the wonderful performance." - Anita Almich - Sprague Community Theater, Bandon, Oregon
Carlos' performance ranked right up there as one of the best summer concerts in several seasons! The audience of 300 ate it up, calling for an encore and leaping to their feet when the performance ended."
Lori Patrick - City of Auburn Arts Commission
"He did it AGAIN! Carlos del Junco and his band simply blew away the audience at the Coupeville Performing Arts Center last evening, with a superlative performance by 4 superb musicians. The crowd was awestruck by the performance, it is seldom that the Town of Coupeville gets to rock and roll like this! His CDs flew out of the Center, and I got so many hugs that my ribs are STILL sore. Their new guitarist blended with the drummer and electric stand-up bass perfectly, making the night memorable to say the very least. Two years ago, CDJ started his tour with Coupeville, this time he finished it here. We'll let him bring his train to this station anytime. Thanks again, Darcy, for working with Concerts on the Cove. The folks on Whidbey Island thank you as well." - Vracin,Concerts On the Cove
