Iguanamen de Galapagos

Iguanamen de Galapagos apply a healthy dash of Latin American spice to blues.  But that’s a little too basic sounding for what they’re capable of.  For instance, their track ’Gilda’: banjo and fiddle, ’nuff said.  The Iguanamen have a slippery way of crawling into your heart just before you realize you’ve been driving down the road humming one of their songs.  Even though they always possess soul and often come through with a raw element, it wouldn’t be a surprise if their song ‘Whatever’ became as popular as ‘I Loved Her First’ (by Heartland) at weddings to come.

There’s nothing gimmicky about their catchy name, the Iguanamen de Galapagos spend (most of) their days roasting on the pristine beaches of Isabela Island, Galapagos (that’s in Ecuador!).  While on Isabela their main objectives are good friends, laughter, and playing their music; of course until they get too hot and traipse off to join the marine iguanas on the beach.

The Iguanamen are Jeff Frazier, Hector Napolitano, and Gringo Juan.

Jeff Frazier is a singer, songwriter and producer, as well as an environmental and civil rights attorney.  Born and raised in Texas, he and his family divide their time between Texas and the Galapagos Islands – where they have a home and studio.  Texas Jeff co-wrote, recorded and produced Iguanamen’s first album, Iguanamen de Galapagos, which is also the first cd ever made in Galapagos.  He has toured with the trio, and continues to explore his musical horizons.

Hector Napolitano is Ecuador’s greatest living guitarrista.  Napo is a native Ecuadorian and was even presented with a house from his hometown of Guayaquil out of gratitude and reverence for his tributary song to the city, aptly titled after the city itself.  He has led and lives a proficient career as a touring musician, and can yet even be caught playing in a local bar from time to time.

Gringo Juan, an American born refugee of sorts, landed on the Galapagos and established himself as an infamously remembered character and an Isabela Island legend.  Coming off as a hippie-biker, it’s suiting that he had a voice dirtier than Dr. John’s to match.  Gringo Juan could laugh, sing, play harp, and bum around Galapagos like no other.  He found a long peace and solace there on Isabela Island before passing away in 2008.  The Iguanamen will always miss him, but their recordings will always preserve his spirit.

Jeff and Napo continue to play music together to this day and enjoy their perpetual friendship.

Trust us, anymore about these guys and you may find yourself packing up and moving to South America.   ~Dirty Jeff (source: Iguanamen)