Name: Vargas Blues Band
Start: 2025-03-29T20:45:00+11:00
Location: The Beach Club Collaroy

Javier Vargas is a Spanish blues guitarist, founder of Vargas Blues Band, with a strong presence in all of Europe and America, eight platinum records and over 27 albums sold since 1991. Javier Vargas has earned the merit of being a living legend on the electric guitar with his very personal blues influenced by Rock & Roll, Soul, Latin and Flamenco styles, for the absolute enjoyment of all types of audiences. During the 70s he lived in Nashville and Los Angeles playing at clubs and recording sessions, playing also with and impressing the likes of Alvin Lee, Roy Buchanan and Canned Heat who have influenced Javier’s style. Returning to Spain in the 80s, in 1991 he formed ‘Vargas Blues Band’ releasing their first album All Around Blues in the same year. The following year the Band released Madrid-Memphis including collaborations from other blues musicians, reaching the highest sales figure of any blues album to date in Spain. The album Blues Latino was released in 1994. This album included the song Blues Latino, one of the most popular of Javier’s creations, with instrumental support of other acclaimed international artists including Carlos Santana, who played it live at Woodstock ’94 and included it in his Santana Brothers’ album. In 1995 the album Texas Tango with collaboration from other world-wide known musicians including Steve Ray Vaughan’s Band Double Trouble, Larry T Thurston (the Blues Brothers) and Preston Shannon. In 1996 Javier was invited by Carlos Santana to play at Carlos’ concert at the Zenith, Paris, brining the crowd to their feet. This experience was repeated in 1998 when Javier and his Cuban singer were invited to play at Carlos’ concerts in Madrid and Bercy, Paris, and again in 2000 when Javier was invited to open Carlos’ tour Supernatural. The Band’s fifth album Gypsy Boogie was released in 1997, again with collaboration of world-wide renowned musicians. In 1998 Javier was introduced to Prince, and on the ‘Jam of the Year’ tour in Spain, Javier was invited to jam with Prince on stage during his concert. The Band’s sixth album Feedback & Bluestrology was released in 1998 followed by the release of the album Madrid-Chicago in 2000. The album Bluestrology was also re-released as a solo album in 2000, followed by the Best of Vargas Blues Band and You Perfect Stranger in 2001, and Last Night in 2002. In 2003 the first Vargas Blues Band’s solely instrumental album Chill Latin Blues was released, with Javier Vargas’ guitar as the protagonist, musically influenced by the fusion of the Drum & Bass, Acid Jazz, African & Latin Rhythms, Hip-Hop and Spanish Guitar. The album Love, Union, Peace was released in 2005 including ten new songs and guest performances from Glenn Hugues, Jack Bruce, Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Devon Allman and others. In 2007 the album Lost & Found was released followed by Flamenco Blues Experience in 2008, Mojo Protection in 2010, Live Wire in 2011, Vargas Blues Band & Company in 2012, Heave City Blues in 2013, From the Dark in 2014, Hard Time Blues in 2016, and Cambalache & Bronca in 2017. 2018 saw the release of new recordings together with a compilation of Javier’s best songs throughout his career, a double album, The King of Latin Blues, with collaboration from John Byron Jagger, Mick Jagger’s nephew, on vocals, and Steve Hunter, musician from Aerosmith, Lou Reed and Alice Cooper, on the guitar. Javier’s strong passion for the blues continued with the release of albums Move on in 2019, Del Sur and The Very Best of Vargas Blues Band in 2020. Back in Memphis released in 2021 includes stunning tracks featuring a star-studded array of talent. In June 2022 Vargas Blues Band had the pleasure to be the opening act for The Rolling Stones at Wanda Metropolitan in Madrid with John Byron Jagger and Chris Jagger as special guests among others. Tributo al Rock Argentino and a new double album Stoner Night were released in 2023 followed by the Best of my Blues in 2024. In 2024 Vargas Blues Band’s presence continues strong touring and attracting large crowds throughout all Europe introducing a new release, Blues Magic.