"Vargas is like a rainbow, he contains all the colors, he feels the same passion as I do when it comes to embracing the music of the world. He has a positive, fruitful and brilliant future ahead. There are very few musicians who can reach out to everybody..."
CARLOS SANTANA
The Vargas Blues Band deliver their music with soul and passion. The
band's origins are Spanish but their music contains flavors of the world.
They have graced the stages of countries inside and outside Europe. They have played renowned music festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland to The Mont Tremblant Blues Festival in Canada. No matter
how big or small the venue, their music is always full of emotion.
Their albums have seen contributions from the likes of Double Trouble, Jack Bruce, Chris Rea, Larry Graham, Devon Allman, Alex Lingertwood, Elliot Murphy, Glen Hughes, Larry McCray, Sugar Blue, Raimundo Amador, David Montes, Bobby Alexander and Loonie Brooks, to name a few. A number of their albums have been produced by Jim Gaines and Ian Taylor.
This being said, what stands out above all, is Javier Vargas' compositions and heart felt guitar playing. His sound is similar to that of Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Carlos Santana. But his style is unique as he
mixes the flavors of Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Son, and Chicago Blues into
a delicious musical cocktail good for all occasions!
The music speaks for itself, this band is sending a message to love.
Included below are clips from various albums including a live recording at Buddy Guy's Legends Club in Chicago.
Do You Believe In Love? (Live) (Javier Vargas/ Rafael Sanudo)
Illegally (Javier Vargas/ Jeff Espinoza)
Tiny Paradise(Javier Vargas/ Rebecca Prieto)
I Need Your Love So Bad (Little Willy John)
For albums, merchandise, and more information click here
Javier Vargas is a Dro Atlantic recording artist. Dro East West S.A. All rights reserved
To see the bands EPK click here.
"...sounding like a wholly idealized, aging, eroded yet feisty, not-entirely-Caucasian, blues person who spends most of his time (to avoid the nattering of his spouse) on the wooden front porch, with a rusty National prewar Style O guitar...I will be re- and re-re listening (to Jack's music) in order to revisit the groaning board of slightly off-balance stories that he imparts in his albums..."
STAN JAY, President, Mandolin Bros., New York
Smiling Jack is a storyteller, he grasps the listener from the get go. This is a serious blues man who has shared the stage with B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Clyde Copeland, John Hammond, The Reverand Gary Davis and many more.
His music incorporates a certain amount of humour that makes listening to his blues something enjoyable no matter what the time of day or mood of the moment is. You can tell that Smiling Jack has that authenticity that only comes from years of playing and a true love of and respect for the blues. There's no fooling around here, Jack knows how to deliver his message and keep the listener involved. At times he sounds like Leonard Cohen as you can here on the Clip "This Blue Before" but most importantly he sounds like himself, the real deal, not a gimmick or sound-alike.
After 35 years of performing original tunes, recording various albums in
North America and Europe, and performing at festivals and clubs on both sides of the ocean, Jack has recently released his latest album which is causing something to talk about. For the album he keeps it real and he
keeps it fresh. The French certainly agree. The album occupied the top spot on the Parisian hit radio show "Midnight Special Blues" which also classified Smiling Jack Smith as one of the top 10 blues artists of the year 2006.
Here are a few clips from the new album "This Blue Before". For additional information on Jack or to purchase the new album click here
Smiling Jack Smith is a Root Cellar Records recording artist. All rights reserved Thunder And Lightning Music 2006.