Atención Music Spotlight:Blue Beard, In The Key Of Blues

By Felecia Ford

Elihú Catalán, better known as “Blue Beard” is one of México’s most distinctive and accomplished harmonica players. Born and raised in México City, he was shaped early on by the music his parents played at home and later refined through his lifelong dedication to the blues. Although guitar was his first instrument (he ROCK’S the guitar), the harmonica ultimately has became his true love and passion. 

FF: Thank you for this opportunity to share your story. What brought you to San Miguel de Allende?

BB:  Edgar Bord encouraged me to come to San Miguel de Allende about a year ago. We’ve been playing together in Radio Blues since 2004 in México City, and now we get to make music together here in this beautiful city.

FF:  What first drew you to playing the harmonica?

BB: When I started playing guitar, I wanted to play classic rock but also blues. The sound of the blues harmonica really caught my attention. My father had a few harmonicas, so I would try to play them, but it wasn’t anything serious until fifteen years later in 2009, that I decided to learn the harmonica seriously.

FF: Your harmonica style blends blues, jazz, swing, and even manouche. How did this unique fusion develop?

BB:  I really enjoy those genres, and by mixing them together, I found the direction that allowed me to create not only my own sound but also helped me create my harmonica compositions along with Edgar Bord.

FF:  I know that the public must really love your music because you have 38k followers on YouTube! 

BB: Yes, you can follow me at youtube.com/@elihuquintero

FF:  What have been the most meaningful stages and cities you’ve performed in?

BB:  The Zócalo in México City is the most important public square in México; great artists from all over the world have performed there, and I have played there three times so far.   

In 2018, Radio Blues performed outside of México for the first time at a small festival in Everett, Washington. The experience of playing in another country is unique, and performing some of our original songs and seeing that people enjoyed them was truly very satisfying.

In 2021, I performed solo at a harmonica convention in North Carolina; there I also had the opportunity to play some of my own compositions.  In 2023 I played the AGUAS BLUES Festival in the city of Aguascalientes with 600 enthusiastic music lovers in attendance.  

FF: Playing festivals are fun and are a great way to reach the masses.  

BB: In general, festivals are where I most enjoy performing. I’ve also played the 2015 Jazz and Blues Festival in Real de Catorce, the 2009 & 2017 Zacatecas Jazz and Blues Festival with performances at the México City Theater, and at CNART.

FF: You have also shared harmonica licks with legends like Lee Oskar, Billy Branch, Canned Heat, Carey Bell and Carlos Johnson. What moment stands out the most?

BB: A truly great experience was meeting Lee Oskar when I went to play in Everett in 2018. The festival organizer introduced me to Lee Oskar, who is a legend and also has his own harmonica brand. We talked for a long time, he gave me a tour of his office, and in the end we played some harmonica together. He also gave me some harmonicas as a gift; he was very kind. 

FF: I own a Lee Oskar harmonica and they are the best!  Are there dream collaborations or venues still on your list?

BB:  My goal is to perform at Society for the Preservation of the Harmonica (SPAH.)  It is a dream that I know I will achieve at some point. 

I also would like to return to perform at the Carolina Harp Fest harmonica convention and  also return to the festival in Everett, Washington where I met Lee Oskar. 

FF: No doubt you will!  Let’s talk a sec about your stage name, Blue Beard—how did that come about? 

BB: People started calling me Blue Beard (Barba Azul), because my name isn’t easy to pronounce or remember so around 2019 I decided to make it my artistic name.

FF: Having chosen blue hair myself years ago, I fully approve of both the look and the name. You’ve carved out a style that’s instantly recognizable and a sound that’s entirely your own which is no small feat.

Here’s to many more rides on your musical journey.  Go hear Blue Beard live!

January 4^th: Cent'anni, British Invasion concert, 6:00 p.m.

January 10^th, Sunset Theater, Summer Of Love private concert, 5:30 p.m.

January 23^rd, Cent'anni, Battle of the Harmonicas,  6:00 p.m.

More info: www.bluebeard.blue

Photo credit: IG @srstudios_biz

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