Blue Largo was formed by guitarist Eric Lieberman and vocalist Alicia Aragon in 1999. Eric recruited his old music partner, saxophonist Jonny Viau from as far back as 1982, when they were both sidemen in the King Biscuit Blues Band, and together with pianist Sue Palmer, drummer Phil Rowley, bassist Roger Daschle and baritone sax man Troy Jennings, the band released its debut album, What A Day! produced by Rick Holmstrom in the year 2000.
The band went through a few personnel changes, and with piano virtuoso, Carl Sonny Leyland and bassist Chris Crepps on board, released its second album, Still In Love With You, in 2002. While maintaining its home base in San Diego, California during the past fifteen years, Blue Largo has traveled up and down the California coast, playing such well known venues as Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, The Derby in Los Angeles and the legendary Blue Café in Long Beach.
In November 2006, Eric developed a rare neurological condition called focal dystonia, which affected the coordination in his right hand, thus putting an end to any further recording plans until May 2015. With great dedication and hard work, Eric has overcome his focal dystonia to the point where he felt he would be able to record again, and the result is the band’s third album, Sing Your Own Song, officially released September 18, 2015.
Blue Largo has always been a traditional 1940/’50’s era blues band, specializing in covers by such artists as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Louis Jordan, T Bone Walker and Julia Lee. Eric never considered himself a songwriter, but has rather always focused on paying tribute to the great artists whom he loves so much. However, he jotted down a few ideas over the years, which he and Alicia revisited when they decided to record their current album, and lo and behold, Sing Your Own Song contains seven original songs, which the band is most proud of and excited about! These original songs deal with life’s big issues – the challenges, despair, hope, perseverance, and ultimately prevailing. Music-wise, the record contains everything from Louisiana swamp grooves to gospel, rhythm and blues, jump blues, sensual ballads and lowdown acoustic country blues, and Blue Largo is ready and raring to bring it all to their live shows.
Along with Eric and Alicia, the current Blue Largo line-up features Jonny Viau on tenor and baritone saxophones, Marcus Bashore on drums, Taryn Donath on piano and Art Kraatz on bass. Sing Your Own Song, which was recorded and co-produced by Nathan James, also features Nathan on rhythm guitar, resonator guitar and upright bass, Ron Felton and Marty Dodson on drums, Joey Jazdzewski on both Fender and upright bass, Rafael Salmon on organ, Dave Castel de Oro on tenor saxophone and BMA Nominee Missy Andersen on backing vocals.
As Charlie Parker said, “Now’s the time,” and we believe now is the time for Blue Largo. So people get ready, get on board, and don’t let this soul train leave the station without you!
