Catalunya Harmonica Summit

They say the passion of those who give always returns to its source. It is an emotion with a traveling spirit that knows no borders, languages, or limits. It is fueled by the boundless enthusiasm some people generate.

Javier Laguna is a music lover who is unconditionally devoted to the study of the blues, with a particular focus on the harmonica. Only someone with a deep passion for the instrument could bring together and produce a project featuring many of the musicians representing the best of the Catalan scene. Lagunak Sessions, a Catalunya Harmonica Summit project, features important figures such as harmonica player and singer Marta Suñé (Sweet Martha, Sweet Martha & The Blues Shakers); harmonica player and singer David Sánchez Farràs (The Low Down Groovers, The Hoodoo Doctors); harmonica player, singer, and organist Victor Puertas (The Suitcase Brothers, Victor Puertas & The Mellow Tones); guitarist and singer Johnny BigStone; guitarist Óscar Rabadán; drummer Reginald Vilardell; and bassist Jordi Abad. The project is backed by Greg Izor, one of the most important figures in international blues today. Izor is an American harmonica player, singer, composer, and producer.

In addition to Javier Laguna’s executive production, Lagunak Session was recorded at La Casa Murada Studios by Michael Solves and Greg Izor. It was mixed and mastered by Javi Suárez and Greg Izor at Tape Geeks Studios and produced by Greg Izor. This blues harmonica album invites us to trace the instrument’s path throughout history and its indelible mark on the genre. It reveals an organic, old-school production, exquisite song selection, and outstanding performances by this collective It’s a call to action, a invitation to follow the invisible thread that links blues, rock and roll, and country in songs like the lively Sparkling City, a track by singer and harmonica player Tedy Roddy and performed by Marta Suñé on vocals and harmonica, and to venture into the Texan-infused shuffle of I Don’t Want To Hear It,  penned by Greg Izor. M. A. Lonesome vindicates the figure of Californian harmonica player Rick Estrin with New Old Lady, in Howlin’ Wolf ´s purest style.

Lagunak Sessions is an exciting journey that takes us from Chicago to Austin, New Orleans, and Mississippi, finally landing in Barcelona. It masterfully combines original songs, such as Greg Izor’s “High School Days,” with covers from other artists, such as Linda Lu by Ray Sharpe. This time, David Sánchez Farrás is on vocals and harmonica. Izor’s Le Rêve Bretagne, a true chromatic harmonica instrumental master class, establishing him as the main composer of this record. Marta Suñé and Javier Laguna bring Buster Benton’s Lonesome for a Dime to life, splendidly performed by Johnny Big Stone on vocals. Invisible delves into the swamps of Louisiana to pay tribute to American music legend Johnny Sansone, a multi-instrumentalist and composer, with Victor Puertas on vocals and harmonica, and Greg Izor on harmonica. Izor also writes Preacher’s Daughter. The spirit of the late Texan harmonica player, Gary Primich, is embodied in Angeline with MA Lonesome on vocals and harmonica. Izor signs the magnificent $2 Bill and co-writes the amusing Onion performed by MA Lonesome.

Austin, San Antonio, Chicago, New Orleans, Memphis, or Barcelona. Lagunak Sessions is the journey that celebrates the essence of blues music, which has always been both far away and close by, arousing an inexhaustible desire in some and simply being appreciated by others.