In January, Carlos del Junco received the 2011 Maple Blues Award for Harmonica Player of the Year. Again.
Yes, del Junco's incredible feats with the harmonica have earned him that award eight times out of the Canadian Maple Blues Awards 15-year history.
And if you check out his website, you'll find a stack of national and international awards including everything from two Gold Medals at the prestigious Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Germany to the Poor Folks Deli Blues Award in Toronto.
But del Junco's music goes deeper than just the blues. Over time it's evolved into a fusion of blues, roots, Ska, New Orleans, World Beat and more. His latest CD features lush instrumentals and sensuous solos. And while listening to a cut from Mongrel Mash is guaranteed to get your body moving, a live performance is a huge hunk of harmonica heaven.
And, yes, Carlos del Junco and the Blue Mongrels are performing at the Sid Williams Theatre on March 11.
"My original intention with Mongrel Mash was to record a live CD," says del Junco. "But I was never satisfied with the results so the band is playing live off the floor with lots of extended solos. The energy of a live recording is there but it's more controlled. The CDs reception by fans and peers has been fantastic. "
And what was going to be a retrospective CD morphed into a unique blend of old and new with some quirky del Junco twists.
"There are three totally new songs, three that I re-recorded and some I've been working on for years," he notes. "Mojo showcases what I can do on harmonica and there are some epic instrumentals that have developed over the years. There's a big emphasis on the arrangements and the communication between different instruments."
"I often find inspiration in other instruments, especially the guitar and sax," he adds.
Appearing on stage with del Junco will be bandmates Henry Hellig on bass and Mark Mariash on drums with Paul Pigat from Vancouver filling in for Eric St. Laurent on guitar.
"I call them the Blues Mongrels because our material is so eclectic," explains del Junco. "It's root-based yet delves into jazz, blues and Latin sounds. I get impatient pretty quickly with a straight ahead blues program and theatre audiences seem to appreciate the wide ranging diversity."
del Junco's Courtenay appearance is part of a three-week tour of B.C. and Alberta. Then he returns home to Ontario for a week before departing on a three week tour of Europe, which includes France, Germany and Belgium.
In between gigs and working on his music, del Junco teaches harmonica and recently began doing so via Skype. "I have students in Italy, Australia and England," he says. "It's really fun and allows me to reach out to people all over the world."
But del Junco cautions those aspiring to make a living as a musician.
"You have to wear many hats these days," he says. "It's a very competitive industry. You have to be really good at what you do. And you have to be prepared to do a lot of hustling. A good way to get some early recognition is YouTube."
When asked how many times he's performed in the Comox Valley, del Junco couldn't recall.
"All I remember is the great fans," he says. "I always look forward to going back."
Tickets to Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels are available at the Sid Williams Theatre at $38 for adults, $30 for SWT member and $20 for students. FMI and tickets: 250-338-2430 ext 1., 442 Cliffe Ave. or www.sidwilliamstheatre.com or www.carlosdeljunco.com.