Acoustic Blues with BJ Estares

BJ Estares, Singer /Song Writer, is a blues guitarist residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Born in San Diego, California on February 1st, 1954, BJ grew up influenced by his father’s love of big band jazz and his mother’s love for country music. BJ began studying jazz guitar on his own at the age of 12 until his elder brother introduced him to the blues via “Janis Joplin and The Holding Company”. So, it only made since that when you put jazz and country together you get the blues.

After a tour in the US Army, two years of college, raising two sons and a 28 year career in the construction trades (from a total of 37 years), Beej finally sold a song to friend and mentor, “Big Jim Adam”. “No Man At All” was first recorded by Jim on “Live at Jimbo’s” in 2005.Later, in that same year, Beej formed his band, “BJ Estares and Route 61”. Since then, they have experienced steady growth in popularity in the Pikes Peak Region’s burgeoning music scene.

In 2015 BJ Estares and Route 61 earned honors for “Best Self-Produced CD” and “Best Blues Band” from the Pikes Peak Blues Community. They have performed openers for The Ronnie Baker Brooks Band, American Blues Music Award winner Tommy Castro and The Pain Killers, two time IBC winner Lionel Young Band and award winning Texas blues man, Mike Zito.

BJ and Route 61 performed original tunes from their first CD release “Full Time Student of the Blues” at the Pikes Peak Center’s Studio B Showcase in 2012 and were invited back in 2013 to perform the all original-award winning release, “Easy Street”. BJ and Route 61 also performed regularly as a house band at Bronco Billy’s in Cripple Creek from 2015 to 2018.

BJ’s new recording effort is currently in the production process and its release in 2023 is hopeful.