Smokin’ Mo &
Blues Devils
Smokin’ Mo & The Blues Devils
Costa Rica’s Blues Band
Performing at the Main Event, Costa Rica Blues Festival, Saturday February 21, 2026
Born in Chicago and raised in Costa Rica, Smokin’ Mo (Mo Ledezma) bridges the soulful roots of American blues with the vibrant spirit of Costa Rica. At 19, he moved to Houston, Texas, where he absorbed the blues straight from its source — performing, learning, and living the music that would define his style.
Upon returning to Costa Rica, Mo founded The Blues Devils in 2001 — one of the country’s most enduring and respected blues bands. With over two decades of performing together, the lineup remains rock-solid: Edgar Sequeira (guitar), Franco Torterolo (bass), and Fernando Alvarado (drums). Their powerful sound has carried the blues to audiences all across Costa Rica, keeping the genre alive and growing.
Beyond fronting the band, Smokin’ Mo is also the founder and producer of the Costa Rica Blues Festival, a celebrated annual event that unites international and local artists in a joyful celebration of blues culture, community, and connection.
Raw, soulful, and authentic — Smokin’ Mo & The Blues Devils embody the heart of the Costa Rican blues movement.
