Vargas Blues Band

Javier Vargas formed the Vargas Blues Band in Madrid in 1992, pulling together musicians like José Bruno on drums and Antonio Moreno on keyboards. He'd been listening to Chicago and Mississippi blues players, but he mixed that with flamenco and rock, which gave the band its own sound from the start. Their first album, 'Blues Latino,' came out the next year.

They put out records fairly steadily through the '90s and early 2000s, with titles like 'Gypsy Blues' and 'Do You Believe in Love.' That last one shares its name with one of their songs, 'Do You Believe In Love,' which sits alongside tracks like 'Back Alley Blues' and 'Blues For My Baby' in their catalog. The music kept that blend of blues with other styles, never settling into a pure traditional lane.

Vargas has been the constant, writing and playing guitar while other musicians have come and gone. The band has worked with some notable figures from the blues world over time. They kept touring and recording through various lineups, building a following for their live shows in particular.