“I believe that there are very similar things between Blues and the music of Mexico, in their lyrics, in their feelings, both speak of very similar experiences, and I also believe that they have a lot of strength due to their past since both cultures come from very difficult times in which there was slavery, sad things, and I think that is why it seems that there is brotherhood between both genres! There is a very special feeling that makes them very compatible.”

Jimmy Huerta: Let The Good Blues Roll

Vocalist, composer and guitarist Jimmy Huerta aka Jimmy Huk who from an early age became interested in music, started to learn and listen to bands. He began his career playing in the streets of the City of Aguascalientes (Mexico) around the year 2001 until forming a musical project with the Fart Blues band with which he played in different forums and bars and then began his career as soloist. His remarkable technique for playing the blues is undoubtedly composed of a varied range of feelings and rhythms that the public manages to easily capture in their presentations, creating a pleasant atmosphere with very deep lyrics that take the public on a journey through several of their experiences in life. With the Fart Blues band from Aguascalientes he recorded 2 albums with songs of his authorship, he has several recordings already as a soloist and several albums that can be heard on YouTube.         

(Photo: Jimmy Huerta aka Jimmy Huk, Mexico)

Music has taken him to travel several states and play in important cultural forums and festivals in the country of Mexico in the field of blues. Among his musical influences are great artists of Delta and Chicago blues like Jimmy Rogers, Mississippi Fred Mcdowell, Muddy Waters, Robert Loockwood jr, Mance Limpscomp among others. Blues music has always been his inspiration in the life. Currently he continues to play in various forums as a soloist, performing with his guitar and occasionally inviting musicians to play with a full band. He continues to give street shows in the city of Aguascalientes, generating a good response from the audience, offering a pleasant time of Blues music. Jimmy Huk always guarantees in his presentations. 

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What does the blues mean to you?

Music for me has been a great escape from reality, it has helped me in very difficult moments in my life by making me see the world with a better vibration, Blues music for me is total freedom! It gives you the power to always move forward fighting in life and express your deepest feelings in an honest way and makes you take out all your demons! For me it is music that helps you get rid of all the stress.

How do you describe your sound and music philosophy? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

I believe my sound is based on the traditional aspect of Blues music with my lyrics in Spanish influenced by the master creators of this genre. My musical philosophy is to have fun making music and let the show flow, let whatever needs to come in the show come! Each concert is unique and with different details, just enjoy the moment! I think that technique and feeling must come together and of course let the soul express itself and transmit its feeling without thinking if it is going to be perfect or not, just let the music be!

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Mexico?

I think it's because in Mexico people feel very identified with that music! Blues music expresses many of the emotions that people have inside such as problems, unrequited love, problems with alcohol and of course it has happy moments to dance! So I think it makes them forget about everything while enjoying the music.

“Music for me has been a great escape from reality, it has helped me in very difficult moments in my life by making me see the world with a better vibration, Blues music for me is total freedom!” (Photo: Jimmy Huerta aka Jimmy Huk, the blues musician gives street shows in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico)

What drew you into the music and blues scene?  What moment changed your music life the most?

Since I was very little, there was a guitar in my house that a cousin left when he went to Vietnam; He couldn't come back because of a grenade explosion and, well, I started playing the guitar strings and I felt like that was my path. The music transported me to another world inside me and I started listening to bands! and it made me feel very good. I was very curious and started buying magazines and books to learn; Well, I had already heard groups that played blues, but I didn't know what it was. It was when I went to a blues festival called AguasBlues in the city of Aguascalientes where I saw a blues band for the first time, it was the J.C. Smith Blues Band, and I was blown away! I felt like it was the music I wanted to make. I could feel the power that Blues music transmitted, a great essence that gave me energy.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I think what I miss most is the honesty that was in the songs with a lot of feeling that transmitted great emotions!  but I feel that good musical bands are coming out, I think there is a lot of talent for new generations. My hope is that God will give me the opportunity to fulfill this musical mission for several more years and provide people with more music and somehow make them have a fun time in the future. My fear is not fulfilling the mission for which I was sent to this planet, I believe that music is what I came to leave in this dimension!

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I think music is very important as I feel it frees people's souls and unites many sectors of society! Music has the power to unite people even globally, create communication between humanity, elevating their spirit! I hope that music affects people in a positive way, that it becomes a strong bond where we can all enjoy it together without prejudice and that it is a reason for brotherhood!

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences as a busker musician?

I have learned that the important thing is to leave a pleasant time for people who are passing through, maybe someone comes home angry from work and stressed out and maybe you make their day happy with a song. The street is a good forum to make your art known and I have learned that you can connect with people, you are closer to their vibrations and it has helped me to know more about people's feelings by seeing their eyes and often talking with them helps you to know their concerns and something about their life, that inspires you to make songs.

”I could feel the power that Blues music transmitted, a great essence that gave me energy.”
(Photo: Jimmy Huerta)

Are there any similarities between the blues and the genres of local (Mexican) folk music and traditional forms?

I believe that there are very similar things between Blues and the music of Mexico, in their lyrics, in their feelings, both speak of very similar experiences, and I also believe that they have a lot of strength due to their past since both cultures come from very difficult times in which there was slavery, sad things, and I think that is why it seems that there is brotherhood between both genres! There is a very special feeling that makes them very compatible.