Carlos del Junco - Performance: The Harmonica

Blues harmonicist Carlos del Junco plays the history of the tiny, 10-holed reed instrument that many consider a toy. Watch as he blows that idea out of the water, getting an astonishing amount of sound out of a pocket-harmonica.
Born in Havana, Cuba, del Junco (loosely translated “of the reeds”) immigrated with his family at the age of one. He bent his first note on a harmonica when he was fourteen, making his debut with his high school math teacher at a student talent night. In his early 20’s del Junco was immersed in a visual arts career; he graduated with honours from a four year programme, majoring in sculpture at the Ontario College of Art. Sculpture has definitely had an influence on his outlook on music: “Music is just a different way of creating textures and shapes.”
Playing a ten hole diatonic harmonica, Carlos has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using a recently developed “overblow” technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy. Overall, this approach to the diatonic harmonica, although much more difficult to achieve, is in many ways more expressive and communicative than the mechanized tone produced by the chromatic harmonica . Carlos is one of the few pioneers of this overblow method, bringing musical credibility to what has still been considered by many in the music industry - a fringe folk instrument. The sophisticated sound produced by del Junco is at once sensitive, soulful, and sexy while never forgetting the rawness inherent in blues music.

[@elrico1364]

You said "What else can I tell you about this thing..." sir, it's very evident that when the Harp Player comes on stage.... everyone, each other player... guitar, horns, drums... all take a back seat to the Harp Player. The crowd wants to hear the Harpist! Thats a universal factoid !

[@Ragib925]

He played the diatonic harmonica like a piano!!! Respect!!!

[@kbh2200]

He takes the diatonic harmonica to an another level.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Him a Levy both. Unreal.

[@stevepethel6843]

Love your playing and Love your song selections and interpretations...

[@99crossy]

Goodness!! Found you from an interview with Indiara. Fabulous!!

[@xxxxharp]

Masterful playing and great explanation !! Always so entertaining !!

[@gesx6598]

Just amazing.

[@professorpopkiss]

Its not a toy. I love you rendition of Donald Michael. ❤ I also love your hand sculpt, if it was for sale I might buy it

[@127pcj]

Stunning

[@ZvikaDror]

Awesome performance, inspirational

[@ronaldroberts7791]

No

[@Living-the-joylife]

❤ 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@baillar100]

The Gold Standard.

[@tresspencer3892]

Wow ! Good harp player 👏👏

[@maxiblues89]

GENIOOO

[@houarijs3413]

Ñooo , está escapao!!

[@professorpopkiss]

FXXX me some great overblows there I try to get to, amazing . I follow you for 10 years now. Only because you are good. and i bought my first Golden Melody harp.

[@stefanmlawa]

I have followed you for a while. Just superb!!! Are you playing a Hohner Special 20 for this?

[@airmojo]

Carlos plays the Hohner Golden Melody.

[@huguinishuguinis411]

Esta en DO?

[@Keystroker88]

How the heck did Carlos play that? Amazing, Amazing Grace.

[@saulsincere4581]

i know Im asking the wrong place but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me

[@phillipsimon2966]

@Saul Sincere Instablaster ;)

[@saulsincere4581]

@Phillip Simon I really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@saulsincere4581]

@Phillip Simon It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out :D

[@phillipsimon2966]

@Saul Sincere Glad I could help :)

[@janicewright2639]

Did you used to play in the Jarvis atrium?

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Anyone know the song @ 6:40?

[@mgtow941]

Daar word aan de deur geklopt.

[@biggersound]

I'd rather listen to Bob Dylan or Neil Young to be honest. Technically stunning musically pointless.