The Musical Pulse of Baja

A better life, a cleaner planet, a safer world, and an appreciation of our heritage.  These are just a few of the things that we like to leave from one generation to the next.  But an appreciation of the arts, especially of music, is another.  Right here in Baja, we have a group of experienced and talented musicians that takes very seriously the responsibility of “passing the baton” to the younger generation, when it comes to the Blues.

J.L. Blues Project started in 2015 with the singular purpose of providing younger musicians a chance to get up on stage and play for a crowd.  Jacob Levy, owner of Guitar Central (sales and lessons) in Tijuana, had the idea of forming JL Blues Project because his music store’s goal is to encourage children and young adults to get involved in playing an instrument.  He’s worked tirelessly to help schools view music as an important extracurricular activity.  The store opened in February 2015, downtown near the big flag, and people have donated musical instruments for that purpose.  (More are needed.)  Truly passionate for music, especially the Blues, he incorporates this in the music lessons at Guitar Central.

Besides Jacob on lead guitar and vocals, other veterans of the Tijuana music scene include Cuco Macias (Pachuco Blues) on bass, Pepe (Train) Madrigal on harmonica, Kristian Del Castillo on sax, and Mingo Macias on drums.  Embracing their role as new talent are lead singer Raquel Plateros Quintana on guitar, Lucia Rivera on vocals, Marina Levy on rhythm guitar, and Jesber (Chuy) Van Page on guitar.

Other young musicians are welcome to come in to the store for lessons and to perform as part of the project.  Juanito can often be seen with them at venues such as Artist BBQ Lounge (across from WalMart), which is in Playas de Tijuana on many Friday nights, and at the Tequila Disco Bar (3rd and Revolution, upstairs) in Tijuana, for the Blues and Jam Fronterizo hosted by Hola Soy Lola every Thursday night.  You never know which other music veterans may show up, such as Alex Perales, Tony Perretta, and German Sanchez, among many others.  Recently, JL Blues Project put on a prime-time performance on the Main Stage, for the crowd at Baja Sand 2015 at the Rosarito Beach Hotel.  Expect to see much more of them along the coast, from Tijuana to Rosarito, and even Ensenada to Valle de Guadalupe.  For information on their schedule, or for booking info, check them out on Facebook at JL Blues or contact them at (664) 222-5521 Cell or (664) 449-2410 Work.  Their e-mail address is: [email protected] or [email protected]

For updates on JL Blues Project and other bands and events, join the Facebook group Rosarito Living.  And for weekly summaries of upcoming items of interest, download the mobile app Rosarito Living to any Android device.