We’re thrilled to welcome Jeff Espinoza from Los Angeles, California – a musician with a long trajectory including being the powerful voice behind the legendary Vargas Blues Band and as a solo act playing fiery blues infused with sultry tango and gypsy vibes! His latest release Gypsy Runner is a delight to anyone who loves American roots music and is a refreshing new air in Jeff’s musical trajectory. Jeff has released his second solo album with his new group Jeff Espinoza and The Gypsy Runners “Breathe” at the end of 2021! A musical journey from Madrid to Memphis!
The opening act will be performed by Elmer I (Kristof Braekeleire), a guitarist and singer-songwriter from Schaerbeek. He has played in various indie bands such as Elmer, Rapunzel, and Wixies. As a solo artist, he delivers acoustic versions of his own songs and carefully selected covers. Who knows, he might even play songs by The Cure, The Smiths, The Lemonheads or Radiohead.
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JEFF ESPINOZA
From American-Spanish blues to indie folk at its finest – at Toogenblik!JEFF ESPINOZA is from Los Angeles, California where he graduated with degrees in Psychology and Ethnic Studies at California State University, Fullerton. He combined his love of music along with his studies and work with autistic children while playing in a number of bands in California.
Seeking to perfect his musical knowledge, Jeff studied Composition, Voice, Piano & Music Theory, and Recording Techniques at Orange Coast College and California State University, Fullerton and also attending numerous Recording and Songwriting Seminars in Los Angeles. Jeff studied Bel Canto with Inés de Rivadeneira for 10 years to further develop his vocal technique.
Jeff arrived in Spain in 1980 with the Californian group “No Justice” and progressively became part of the Spanish musical panorama playing with the legendary “Flying Gallardos” with whom he recorded his first album in Spain in 1989.
Later on Jeff became the lead vocalist and lyricist with the Vargas Blues Band, recording three albums (“Madrid to Memphis”, “Blues Latino”, and “Texas Tango”), before becoming co-founder of RED HOUSE. Since 1998 Red House has recorded seven CDs (“Red House”, “Hold On”, “Captured Live”, “Rattlesnake Road”, “Chihuahua Boogie”, “Red House Hits 1997-2012”) and the latest effort “Red House & Friends” all received to critical acclaim by the music press of Spain.
Jeff's solo album “Gypsy Runner” also received critical acclaim and he was voted Artist of the Year 2015 for “Toma 1” de Manolo Fernandez of Radio Nacional in Spain. The twelve tracks are an eclectic blend of American roots music embarking Folk, Country, Blues and Rock all composed by Jeff. The CD features gifted collaborations from Steve “The Coronel” Cropper, “Blue Lou” Marini and Bobby Harden of the Blues Brothers along with great guitar work from Ramon Arroyo (The Secretos); Francisco Simon (Red House); Santi Campillo (ex-M-Clan) and Gaby Jogeix. Gypsy Runner promises to delight anyone who loves American roots music and is a refreshing new air in Jeff’s musical trajectory. Jeff has released his second solo album with his new group Jeff Espinoza and The Gypsy Runners “Breathe” at the end of 2021!
Jeff has composed and written lyrics to more than 500 songs in diverse styles, and has collaborated with numerous artists such as “Blue Lou” Marini, Steve Cropper and the Blues Brothers, Dan Aykroid, Chris Rea, Junior Wells, Flaco Jimenez, El Gran Wyoming, Lonnie Brooks, Larry Graham, Larry McCray, Preston Shannon, Larry T. Thurston, El Chojín, Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughn), and Gene Taylor (Canned Heat, The Blasters, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds), etc.
JEFF ESPINOZA has recorded hundreds of publicity adds and records, and has also recorded as a voice and dubbing artist for countless films, adds, and documentaries to his credit. He has also recorded for Television, Radio, Cartoons, Video Games, Documentaries, and Movies such as “Catherine's Grove”, “Malena es un Nombre de Tango”, “The Party”, “Cthulhu Mansion”, “Rain”, “El Rey”, and “Marco Antonio”. Jeff has also acted for the television series “Los Avatars” and “Acacias 38”.
ELMER I
In the '90s, Kristof founded Rapunzel, an alternative rock trio, with which they self-released 2 albums and a few demos. After hundreds of concerts in clubs and festivals between 1993 and 1998, Rapunzel disbanded, and he founded Elmer. With Elmer, he recorded one studio album.
After a hiatus of several years, he began performing acoustic versions of his own songs, still under the name Elmer and later Elmer I to avoid confusion with a young Dutch artist with the same name.
Elmer I was born when Kristof Braekeleire who played in alternative rock bands Rapunzel, Elmer and Wixies started performing as a solo act, playing acoustic versions of his own songs.
Next to his own songs he also includes acoustic interpretations of songs by bands including Radiohead, Pixies, The Cure, The Smiths, Buffalo Tom, and many more. Much to his surprise these songs were often unknown to his audience, adding an element of discovery to his performances. Occasionally, he is accompanied by musician friends.
Press comments: 'Very talented singer-songwriter,' 'Beautiful vocals, mature songs,' 'A musical journey of discovery.'
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