# When you mix the sultry temperament of Latin America with the raw soul of the blues? Jose Ramirez & Blues Factory Band ft. Boy Vielvoye: Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2025/06/01/when-you-mix-the-sultry-temperament-of-latin-america-with-the-raw-soul-of-the-blues-jose-ramirez-blues-factory-band-ft-boy-vielvoye-photos/
- Published: 2025-06-01T11:50:32+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**What do you get when you mix the sultry temperament of Latin America with the 
raw soul of the blues? Jose Ramirez & Blues Factory Band ft. Boy Vielvoye. Exactly:
an unforgettable afternoon like the one that took place last weekend during KERS&
BLUES.**

Blues in Wijk – EU has been working hard to keep the blues alive since 2010. What
started as a small initiative by local music lovers has now grown into an organization
with national appeal.

[⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van der Linden (16 van 27)⌉⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van
der Linden (16 van 27)⌉[

With a varied range of concerts in “their” theater, a blues festival and now also
KERS&BLUES in the countryside of Wijk bij Duurstede, in the town of Cothen.

The program initially seemed like a supporting act and main act, but in the end 
it turned out to be a double bill: the Blues The Factory Band with guest Boy Vielvoye
played a 90-minute set, followed by José Ramirez, who was on stage for no less than
two hours.

The Blues The Factory Band performs every fourth Thursday of the month in Culemborg,
together with various guest artists.

![Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (14 van 14)](
https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.com/65535/54530139577_a40c828514_b.jpg?w=640&
ssl=1)

Boy Vielvoye has been a guest there several times, and it turned out to be a good
choice to combine him with this band again for KERS&BLUES. It was a great set, with
songs from Vielvoye’s career as well as work by guitarist Harm van Essen, who played
songs from his own band La Ratte.

Of course, carefully chosen covers were also played, such as “My Back Scratcher”.
An excellent start to this Saturday afternoon.

[⌊Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (13 van 14)⌉⌊
Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (13 van 14)⌉[

After an hour of conversion, it was the turn of Costa Rican José Ramirez. I first
saw Ramirez in October 2021 at the Bluesmoose Radio concerts in Groesbeek.

The organization of Jazz Blues – EU was also present and they have followed him 
ever since, until the moment was right for a performance in Wijk bij Duurstede. 
Ramirez’s backing band consisted of Carlo van Belleghem on bass, Marcus Weymare 
on drums and Matthijs Daniël on Hammond organ.

[⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van der Linden (19 van 27)⌉⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van
der Linden (19 van 27)⌉[

While the band started the intro of “The Hunter”, Ramirez walked through the audience
towards the stage while playing. The first three songs came straight from his latest
live album Bad Hombre.

Fortunately, he deviated from this with the third song. There was even a song that
cannot be found anywhere on his discography. Together with Keb’ Mo’ Ramirez had 
played the song “The Itch” on one of the many blues cruises.

This was perfect for a South American artist. With a few more bongos it could easily
be a Santana song.

![Jose Raminez foto Edwin van der Linden (22 van 27)](https://i0.wp.com/live.staticflickr.
com/65535/54531360190_0158633886_c.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)

As a true blues artist, Ramirez also performed songs from his predecessors. For 
example, “Sweet 16” by B.B. King and “Honey Hush” by Albert Collins were reviewed,
the latter in a blues-soul medley that also included “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” 
and “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”.

Ramirez likes to involve his audience in his performance. There was a lot of audience
interaction and he regularly walked through the hall.

[⌊Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (5 van 14)⌉⌊
Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (5 van 14)⌉[

Personally, I like that once; four or five times is too much for me – no matter 
how enthusiastic the audience is.

At such moments, the guitar playing suffers a bit, and as a blues lover, that is
exactly what I come for.

[⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van der Linden (26 van 27)⌉⌊Jose Raminez foto Edwin van
der Linden (26 van 27)⌉[

But all in all: a very successful afternoon/evening, with an event that is certainly
worth repeating – at this beautiful location, in the middle of the cherry orchard
of Cothen.

[⌊Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (3 van 14)⌉⌊
Boy Vielvoye  Blues at The Factory band foto Edwin van der Linden (3 van 14)⌉[

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