Javier Batiz

Javier Bátiz was a Mexican guitarist from Tijuana and an early pioneer of rock music in Mexico. In 1957, he founded a group called Los TJ's, through which he absorbed musical influences from black music, blues, and R&B, inspired by artists such as T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, and James Brown.

Bátiz later moved to Mexico City. By 1968, he had become a prominent figure in the Mexican blues scene and was hired to perform at the Terraza Casino bar, where his residency proved highly successful. The venue attracted large crowds, drawing in personalities from various fields, including politicians, artists, and intellectuals. His popularity led to a performance in 1969 at the first large-scale open-air concert in Mexico, organized by the then Mexico City authorities in the Alameda Central. According to eyewitness accounts, Bátiz played in front of an audience of at least 18,000 people.

Known for teaching notable musicians such as Carlos Santana, Alex Lora, Abraham Laboriel, Fito de la Parra (Canned Heat), and Guillermo Briseño, Bátiz's influence extended into the development of their styles. Carlos Santana has often been credited with popularizing Bátiz's sound. In the year 2000, Bátiz participated in Canned Heat's *Boogie 2000* album with the track "The World of Make Believe," which reached top positions in Europe and led to a tour with Canned Heat in cities including Milan, Cesena, Terramo, and Naples in Italy. He also released *Metromental Recording*, a project that reinterpreted the seventies blues with modern arrangements and production by Tony and Beto Méndez, featuring collaborations from Álex Lora, Lalo Toral (Locos de Ritmo), Guillermo Briseño, Nando Estevane, and Fernando Vahaux, among others.