Biography
The Barcelona band dedicated to large-format blues and rhythm’n’blues, under the direction of double bass player Ivan Kovacevic, brings together a group of great musicians who create an energetic, wild and at the same time sophisticated sound. Through his arrangements, Kovacevic brings to the Big Band all the experience and judgement he has built up in small combos. The result is a sonic torrent in the tradition of bands such as T-Bone Walker’s or Johnny Otis’s.
Focused on accompanying the best national and international rhythm’n’blues artists, they achieve a broad and varied sound at every concert. Artists such as Dani Nel·lo, Noa Vd, Myriam Swanson, Wax & Boogie, Ray Gelato, Drew Davies, Mike Sanchez, Claire Martin, Big Dani Perez, Lluís Coloma and many more have witnessed the transformation of their music into a big format, a sonic hurricane that leaves nobody indifferent.
Line-up
- Ivan Kovacevic — Double bass, bandleader
- Duška Miščević — Alto sax
- Ignasi Poch — Alto sax
- Pol Prats — Tenor sax
- Nil Mujal — Tenor sax
- Núria Vito — Baritone sax
- Jaume Torné — Trumpet
- Víctor Vergés — Trumpet
- Aram Montagud — Trombone
- Miguel Berenguer — Trombone
- Héctor Martín — Guitar
- Federico Mazzanti — Piano
- Óscar Hita — Drums
The guests
Dani Nel·lo
The Barcelona saxophonist with a long track record shows his passion for the sound of the 1940s and the great saxophonists such as Red Prysock, Sil Austin or King Curtis.
Noa Vd
The Basque singer who in recent years has left an unmistakable personal mark on the blues scene and related genres. Her energy and sensitivity with the audience have taken her to stages across the whole peninsula.
Ray Gelato (UK)
The Godfather of swing! One of the few current musicians who, with the sound of his sax, his songs and his way of singing, can transport us to the golden age of Swing, when life was music.
Wax & Boogie
Ster Wax and David Giorcelli are probably the most active musicians nationally and internationally. Ster’s thrilling voice and David Giorcelli’s frantic rhythm have taken them to the most prestigious stages on the European continent.
Jonathan Herrero
The Basque singer based in Barcelona has become a symbol of rhythm’n’blues, soul and rock’n’roll through the prestigious bands he is part of, such as A Contra Blues or Rambalaya.
Myriam Swanson
The queen of rhythm’n’blues! Her stage presence, unmistakable personality and vocal qualities leave nobody indifferent. The proof is the career of this great artist.
Spencer Evoy (CAN)
Canadian singer and saxophonist whose energy and commitment on stage have taken him to the best venues and festivals in the world. Leader of MFC Chicken, a London band established on the European rock scene.
Lluís Coloma
The boogie-woogie pianist has spent decades playing, composing and arranging, with his own language, a style that leaves nobody indifferent. Firefingers is the word that best defines his way of playing!
Blas Picón
The singer and harmonica player who has always been one of the greats of the blues scene, known for his way of singing and playing the harmonica; admired for the strength and talent he holds as a performer and composer.
Drew Davies (UK)
The English singer and saxophonist based in Paris has left an indelible mark on the European rhythm’n’blues scene, both leading his own group and accompanying renowned artists from all over the world. The musical elegance that characterises him is unique!
Alberto Burguez
Pianist and singer from Buenos Aires based in Barcelona, known for his New Orleans sound, he represents a generation devoted to searching for the roots of Afro-American music.
Agustí Burriel
A regular suspect on stages across Europe with his dedication to the music of the 40s, 50s and 60s. His versatility has made him one of the first guests of the Barcelona Big Blues Band.
Pere Miró
When it comes to baritone saxophone linked to rhythm’n’blues, swing and Jamaican music, his name comes up immediately. One of the most active musicians on the Catalan scene.
Martín Burguez
Great guitarist and singer from the Argentine capital based in Paris, he has everything it takes to stand in front of a big band: his own songs, stage presence, a characteristic sound. Everything!
Big Dani Perez
Saxophonist and singer from our own house who has marked the return of swing in Catalonia with his wild sound as part of the Big Jamboree group. The period in which he forged himself as a musician and composer laid the foundation for his way of playing.
Uroš Perić (SLO)
Singer and pianist whose voice and overall charisma have been received with enthusiastic applause from audiences all over the world. He is considered one of the finest interpreters of the genius of soul, Ray Charles!
Ladyva (CH)
The Swiss singer and pianist has been a revelation in the way she plays boogie-woogie, with an unmistakable personal touch. Her repertoire, for the first time expanded to an ensemble of this size, leaves nobody indifferent.
Santos Puertas
Guitarist and singer born in Catalonia, he was one of the band’s first guests, chosen for his voice and his way of playing the guitar. Blues in its purest form!
Mike Sanchez (UK)
The CV of this British singer and pianist is a long one. He has spent three decades at the top of the European rhythm’n’blues and rock’n’roll scene, giving his all at every concert.
Chino "Swingslide"
His “dobro” guitar and characteristic voice have made him, since his arrival from Buenos Aires to Barcelona in 2001, one of the most active musicians on the national and international scene.
Steve Lucky & Carmen Getit (USA)
The artistic couple who in the nineties were part of the phenomenon known as the Swing Revival in the USA continue to influence generations from their base in San Francisco.
Rock·a·Bell Christmas Party
It started as a simple Christmas gig in 2014. Since then, every year it turns carols into works of swing and blues and venues into an authentic express bonfire. Once again, the Barcelona Big Blues Band proves that with their own rock’n’roll arrangements, the right guests and sweat on stage, they can transport the audience to another era and fill the dance floor.
Discography
Over the years, the Barcelona Big Blues Band has captured its characteristic sound and put its energy and elegance into several recordings, adapting to the essence of the guest soloists. You can find all the albums in the Discography section.
15 years of good music
The Barcelona Big Blues Band was born in 2010 as a bold proposal. And we are still here! Over 500 hand-made arrangements by the band’s double bass player and leader Ivan Kovacevic for almost 25 different guests.
The stages of jazz and blues festivals across Spain and the whole of Europe have had the chance to hear this sonic hurricane in full force.
A monthly gig for the last 12 years at the emblematic Barcelona venue Jamboree Jazz Club, which they consider home, has built a solid foundation that lets them keep doing what they do best: making the audience enjoy it the same way they do… With all their soul!
Former members
Former members
- Martí Elias — Drums (2017 line-up, official website)
- Anton Jarl — Drums (2025 line-up)
- Pere Masafret — Trombone (earlier line-ups, 2017)
- Igor Kossenkov — Trombone (earlier line-ups, 2017)
- Artem Zhuliev — Tenor sax (2017 line-up)