Keeping a band together these days is not easy, work is scarce, club owners are nervous and musicians, as they get older, want to stay home unless the compensation is more than adequate. I am very lucky to have a group of players that are dedicated and somewhat flexible, so it has been possible to continue working with them for quite a while now.
The Rhythm Section
Drums:
Quique Villafañe is still the master of time and space, one of the best drummers I have ever known and a good friend.
Bass:
Jesus Rodero on the upright bass, rock solid and he laughs at my jokes.
Juan San Martin, another great upright player.
Kiko Perez plays fabulous electric bass and looks good on stage
The Soloists
Lead Guitar:
There are two right now, David Gwynn and Antonio Toledo.
Antonio's flamenco heritage adds a very special flavor to the blues, and David seems to anticipate my new songs somehow, talking to him is just like talking to me.
Harmonica:
I am very lucky to get to play every now and then with the great Antonio Serrano, but he is sooo busy and I have David Garcia to call on when harmonica is on my mind.
Violin:
Only one, Raul Marquez, the mad gypsy-heavy-blues player.
These players can be arranged in different formats depending on their availability, the venue and the budget:
Six-piece with lead guitar, harmonica and violin,
Five-piece with two soloists,
Four-piece with one,
Trios in mix and match from the standard with bass and drums to different groupings of soloists with or without bass,
Duos in any combination.
There is also a group of very talented players in Canada who worked on the CD This Blue Before that I try to play with when I am in British Columbia, like Dave Vidal, another great guitarist.