Mingo Balaguer & High Class is a blues quartet led by singer and harmonica player Mingo Balaguer, together with three outstanding musicians: Jon Aira (guitar), Fredi Peláez (Hammond organ), and Martí Elias (drums). In this lineup there is no bassist, as the bass lines are generated directly by the Hammond organ, creating a full, powerful sound with a very distinctive character.
Their style is inspired by classic and contemporary American blues, drawing influence from bands such as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, and blending intense grooves, electrifying riffs, and contagious energy.
On stage, the band conveys passion, chemistry, and pure fun, enjoying every note and sharing with the audience the essence of the very best blues. Mingo Balaguer & High Class is a band where musical elegance, the spirit of the blues, and the joy of playing together come together to deliver unforgettable concerts.
Mingo Balaguer – Vocals and Harmonica
Mingo Balaguer, a singer and harmonica player from Seville, is one of the most prominent figures in the Spanish blues scene. He began playing the harmonica at the age of eleven, and in 1986 he joined the Caledonia Blues Band, a pioneering group of the genre in Spain, with whom he toured throughout Spain and the United States.
Throughout his career, he has led and been part of numerous projects, including The Blues Machine, The Blues Blasters, and Mingo & The Blues Intruders. He is currently a member of Mingo Balaguer & Pablo Sanpa Blues Blast, Mingo Balaguer & Kid Carlos Blues Band, Downhome Blues, and Cat Squirrel, a band led by legendary British producer Mike Vernon.
With more than 35 years on stage and 18 albums released, Mingo stands out for his expressiveness in combining vocals and harmonica in styles ranging from Chicago blues to West Coast and jump blues. He has shared the stage with renowned international artists and is an endorsed artist of Hohner, the iconic harmonica brand.
Jon Aira – Guitarist
Jon Aira is a guitarist and composer specializing in blues and rhythm & blues, known for his powerful and expressive sound. He has been a member of bands such as The Fake Cousins, The Donkey Riders, and Mojo Hand, and has collaborated with Noa & The Hell Drinkers on tours and recordings.
His style blends traditional blues with influences from Chicago blues and British blues, standing out for his high-energy live performances and his strong command of the classic blues language. He is currently active on the blues scene, taking part in festivals and collaborating with well-known musicians within the genre.
Fredi Peláez – Keyboardist, Pianist and Hammond Organist
Fredi Peláez is a keyboardist, pianist, and Hammond organist from the Basque Country, holding a degree in Jazz from the Musikene – Basque Country Higher Music Center. Renowned for his versatility and musicality, he is proficient on both piano and Hammond organ, allowing him to move naturally across jazz, funk, blues, and fusion projects.
He has taken part in numerous bands and collaborations, notably FMA Trio alongside Mikel Romero (guitar) and Ander Hurtado de Saratxo (drums), with a style inspired by classic organ trios; as well as Organiks, Dynamic Trio, CIF Project, and collaborations with artists from the Basque music scene such as Marea, Ruper Ordorika, Fontso, Korrontzi, Pello Ramírez, and Kupela. He has led concert projects such as Fredi Peláez Trio and Jazz Quartet, and has also worked as a producer and recording engineer in studios like Pottoko (Beasain).
His style is distinguished by the expressive use of the Hammond organ, providing a warm, vintage, and groovy sound. His repertoire ranges from smooth ballads to fast swing, boogaloo, and jazz fusion, showcasing his ability to adapt to different musical contexts as both an arranger and accompanying keyboardist.
Martí Elias – Drummer
Martí Elias is a Spanish drummer and washboard player, trained at the Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona. Specializing in swing, traditional jazz, and blues, he has built a distinguished career within the jazz and blues scenes both in Spain and internationally.
He has been a member of bands such as Doc Scanlon’s Cool Cat Combo, Barcelona Big Blues Band, Steve Lucky and the Rumba Bums (USA), Professor Cunningham and His Old School (USA), Gunhild Carling Jazz Band, Bernat Font Trio, Gordon Webster’s Band, and various blues ensembles alongside artists such as Paul San Martín and Bumpy Roof Band. He is currently the drummer for Ray Gelato, with whom he tours internationally and takes part in recordings and prestigious festivals.
Known for his versatility, strong groove, and musical sensitivity, Martí Elias is a leading figure in swing, classic jazz, and blues within today’s contemporary music scene.
Mingo Balaguer & High Class es un cuarteto de blues liderado por el cantante y armonicista Mingo Balaguer, junto a tres músicos excepcionales: Jon Aira (guitarra), Fredi Peláez (órgano Hammond) y Martí Elias (batería). En esta formación no existe la figura de un bajista, ya que los bajos se generan directamente con el Hammond, creando un sonido completo, potente y con un carácter muy particular.
Su estilo se inspira en el blues norteamericano clásico y contemporáneo, tomando como referencia a grupos como Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, y combinando grooves intensos, riffs electrizantes y una energía contagiosa.
Sobre el escenario, el grupo transmite pasión, complicidad y diversión, disfrutando de cada nota y compartiendo con el público la esencia del mejor blues. Mingo Balaguer & High Class es una formación donde la elegancia musical, el espíritu del blues y el placer de tocar juntos se fusionan para ofrecer conciertos inolvidables.
Mingo Balaguer – Voz y armónica
Mingo Balaguer, cantante y armonicista sevillano, es una de las figuras más destacadas del blues en España. Comenzó a tocar la armónica a los once años y en 1986 se unió a la Caledonia Blues Band, pionera del género en el país, con la que giró por España y Estados Unidos.
A lo largo de su carrera ha liderado y formado parte de numerosos proyectos, entre ellos The Blues Machine, The Blues Blasters y Mingo & The Blues Intruders. Actualmente forma parte de Mingo Balaguer & Pablo Sanpa Blues Blast , Mingo Balaguer & Kid Carlos Blues band, Downhome Blues y Cat Squirrel, banda liderada por el legendario productor británico Mike Vernon.
Con más de 35 años sobre los escenarios y 18 discos publicados, Mingo destaca por su expresividad al combinar voz y armónica en estilos que abarcan el Chicago blues, el West Coast y el jump-blues. Ha compartido escenario con reconocidos artistas internacionales y es músico patrocinado por Hohner, la mítica marca de armónicas.
Jon Aira – Guitarrista
Jon Aira es un guitarrista y compositor especializado en blues y rhythm & blues, conocido por su sonido potente y expresivo. Ha formado parte de bandas como The Fake Cousins, The Donkey Riders y Mojo Hand, y ha colaborado con Noa & The Hell Drinkers en giras y grabaciones.
Su estilo combina el blues tradicional con influencias de Chicago blues y blues británico, destacando por su energía en directo y su dominio del lenguaje clásico del género. Actualmente continúa activo en la escena del blues, participando en festivales y colaboraciones con reconocidos músicos del género.
Fredi Peláez – Teclista, Pianista y Organista Hammond
Fredi Peláez es un teclista, pianista y organista Hammond de Euskadi, licenciado en Jazz por el Centro Superior de Música del País Vasco. Reconocido por su versatilidad y musicalidad, domina tanto el piano como el Hammond, lo que le permite desenvolverse con naturalidad en jazz, funk, blues y proyectos de fusión.
Ha participado en numerosas formaciones y colaboraciones, destacando FMA Trio junto a Mikel Romero (guitarra) y Ander Hurtado de Saratxo (batería), con un estilo inspirado en los tríos clásicos de órgano; Organiks, Dynamic Trio, CIF Project y colaboraciones con artistas de la escena vasca como Marea, Ruper Ordorika, Fontso, Korrontzi, Pello Ramírez o Kupela. Ha liderado proyectos de concierto como Fredi Peláez Trio y Jazz Quartet, y ha trabajado como productor y técnico en estudios como Pottoko (Beasain).
Su estilo destaca por el uso expresivo del Hammond, que aporta un sonido cálido, vintage y groovy. Su repertorio abarca desde baladas suaves hasta swing rápido, boogaloo y jazz-fusión, mostrando su capacidad para adaptarse a distintos contextos musicales como arreglista y teclista de acompañamiento.
Martí Elias – Batería
Martí Elias es un baterista y washboardista español, formado en el Conservatori del Liceu de Barcelona. Especializado en swing, jazz tradicional y blues, ha desarrollado una destacada carrera dentro de la escena del jazz y del blues tanto en España como a nivel internacional.
Ha formado parte de agrupaciones como Doc Scanlon’s Cool Cat Combo, Barcelona Big Blues Band, Steve lucky and the rumba Bumbs (EE.UU.), Professor Cunningham and his Old School (EE.UU.), Gunhil Carling Jazz Band, Bernat Font Trio, Gordon Webster’s Band, y diversos combos de blues junto a artistas como Paul San Martín y Bumpy Roof Band. Actualmente es el baterista de Ray Gelato, con quien realiza giras internacionales y participa en grabaciones y festivales de renombre.
Reconocido por su versatilidad, groove y sensibilidad musical, Martí Elias es una figura destacada del swing, jazz clásico y blues en la escena musical contemporánea.
