Del Junco, a Cuban-born Canadian who will perform in a 7 p.m. all-ages show at Jazzbones on Saturday, is one of a growing number of harp players who can overcome the limitations of the traditional 10-hole diatonic harmonica and play the full range of notes. The results – as del Junco displays on his “Blues Mongrel” album – can be dramatic. Among the diverse offerings on the 2005 CD are a jazzy take on the old movie theme “Our Man Flint” and the film noir moodiness of the title track.

Speaking from his home in Port Hope, Ontario, del Junco laughed about being hounded by “the purists, the blues police and jazz police” but added, “I think if people see the band live they can appreciate what we’re doing.”

In fact, it’s easy to appreciate what del Junco does: He plays with brilliant clarity and tone, he’s been a gold medalist at the Hohner World Harmonica Championships in Germany (diatonic blues and diatonic jazz) and he’s a good singer who shares the limelight with good musicians. Backed by guitar, bass and drums at Jazzbones, he promises a “best of me” show. That could range from the raucous rockabilly of “Run Me Down” to “Let’s Mambo” to a traditional Sonny Boy Williamson number called “Nine Below Zero.”

“Let’s Mambo,” del Junco said, “is a straight-up Cuban tip of the hat to my Cuban roots. I was born in Havana, and I love all these kinds of music.”

The “Blues Mongrel” album proves that, and some tunes show del Junco has a knack for finding unusual musical connections. On the surface, “Long Highway” seems like a fairly straightforward blues, but “even that one goes through three different kinds of rhythms,” del Junco said. “There’s a bit of rhumba, a bit of swing.”

With those varied interests, what drew him to the harmonica?

“Just the sound,” he said, “the fact that it’s got this really human-voice quality to it. It’s sort of a universal cry that everyone can relate to.”

Harmonicas may have universal appeal, but the traditional diatonic harp has its drawbacks for an adventuresome musician.

“In a nutshell, playing a 10-hole blues diatonic harmonica, you have a limitation in notes,” del Junco said. “The holes come in different keys, so you’re really limited to a few keys depending on the harp you have.”

That’s where a combination of techniques comes in. Using the lips and tongue (embouchure), a harmonica player can “bend” notes by dropping the pitch. Combining that with “overblowing” and “overdrawing,” techniques credited to Howard Levy of Chicago, a diatonic player has the full range of notes to choose from.

“It’s very demanding,” del Junco said. It’s like lifting weights. You have to do it all the time to be able to do it.”

So why not play a chromatic harmonica, which has button-activated sliding bar that provides the 12 notes of the Western scale?

“The sound quality,” del Junco said. “The texture, the timbre, is very different on a diatonic as to a chromatic. … So, although you have to work harder to get these extra notes with overblowing, it has a certain kind of reward.

“Hey, I don’t want to get too technical. Ultimately, if it’s good music that’s all that matters.”

Tickets to del Junco’s show are $10; 253-396-9169.

Early warning: The second annual Mount Rainier Music Festival, a benefit event for Mount Rainier National Park, is set for April 4-6 at the Mineral Lake Event Center in Mineral.

With three days of music, the event will feature 25 bands and over 100 musicians on two indoor stages. Food vendors, wineries and breweries will have booths.

Performers will include violinist Geoffrey Castle, Eric “Two Scoops” Moore, the Red Hot Blues Sisters, the Kim Archer Band, Little Bill & the Bluenotes, Polly O’Keary & the Rhythm Method, Trevalyan Triangle, Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers, the Randy Oxford Band (featuring Patti Allen and Little Lisa), In the House and several other acts.

Tickets are $10 (April 4), $25 (April 5), $25 (April 6) or $45 (weekend pass). Camping and RV spots and nearby lodging are available .

For more information , visit www.minerallakeeventcenter.com or call 360-492-5039 or 253-973-9024

HALF NOTES

 • You can catch New Blues Brothers Revue at the Emerald Queen I-5 Nightclub tonight and Saturday.

 • Reggae performer Alex Duncan will be at Jazzbones tonight. The “newgrass string band” Montana Slim will play in a 7 p.m. all-ages show Wednesday. Randy Oxford’s Blues Theatre jam will feature Jerry Miller and Kim Workman at 7 p.m. Thursday.

 • The Jazzy Blues Night Club has Robert Collins tonight.

 • You can catch Buckboard at the Western “R” tonight and Saturday.

 • The Jamabalaya features harp ace Paul Green and his Straight Shot band at 7 p.m. Saturday.

 • Folk rock will ring out at the Mandolin Café on Saturday with Chymes of Freedom.

 • Johnny’s Dock features the always danceable jump blues and swing of Maia Santell & House Blend on Sunday.

 • The Spar will be bluesy Sunday with Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes.

 • Station 56 hosts the Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers invitation-only jam at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

rick.nelson@thenewstribune.com">rick.nelson@thenewstribune.com