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don't feel like I have a lot in common with the community. I'm hoping that changes, but the majority of their icons are press-friendly little Mickey Mouse-doll figureheads that you're more likely to see on a show redecorating somebody's house than onstage at a blues festival... When I came out of the closet as a gay white male from an upper-middle-class suburban home, I came out as not just gay, but as a white guy, and as a guy who likes punk, and as a guy who didn't come from total poverty, and all those things that we associate with being 'blues' things. And when I did that, I wanted to sing about that. I wanted to write songs about what my life was like, and I wanted to use terminology that was modern.
33:
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243:), and his first wife Cheryl Benton. His parents divorced in 1979. Ricci started performing in punk bands at the age of 14. Initially a vocalist, Ricci decided to pursue an instrument as well and the band chose harmonica for him. Being a blues fan, Ricci's mother encouraged his development as a harmonica player. Ricci names
407:
Ricci participates as an Expert Guide (instructor) in the
Harmonica Collective, an annual conference for harmonica players wishing to improve their skills and collaborate with other musicians, which he co-founded with Winslow Yerxa in 2013. He also posts free video harmonica lessons to his web site,
425:
The community doesn't like drum sets and guitars and actual live music. They're used to lip-synching, and dudes in dresses, and
Madonna, and Cher, and techno beats. Those are the things that kept me from coming out earlier. I felt like I had nothing in common with the gay community, and I still
365:
signaled a new direction in Ricci's musical inspiration, as his study of the occult strongly influenced the writing on the album. The band as a whole has been nominated for Blues Band of the Year three times by Blues Wax magazine. Ricci won the Blues Critic Award for
Harmonica Player of the Year
390:
In April 2015, Ricci played harmonica on the song "Born in
Chicago" with Zac Brown and Tom Morello at the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. In August 2017, Ricci was awarded the "Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year Award" by
420:
Ricci has been openly "queer" gay/bisexual most his career and has been outspoken about this subject in many interviews. This has been a professional obstacle as well as an opportunity for Ricci to challenge both gay stereotypes and traditional blues expectations:
370:
for
Harmonica Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010. By January 2011, Ricci had relocated to New Orleans, and assembled a new band, Approved By Snakes, with guitarist John Lisi. Ricci received "Best Harmonica Player" at the May 6, 2010 Blues Music Awards.
267:. Jason has also directly referenced Pat Ramsey as a major influence in his developing a fast pentatonic approach to his playing, stating he prefers to be deliberate in his note choice in favor of speed for "speed's sake".
275:
In 1995, Ricci moved from
Portland to Memphis, TN, where shortly thereafter he placed first in the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest at 21 years of age. Later that same year Ricci recorded his first album,
302:
In 1999, Ricci won the Mars
National Harmonica Contest, and began playing with Keith Brown, later recording with him as well. In 2000, he received a two-page write up in Blues Access magazine by
430:
Ricci's openness with being gay has occasionally been a difficult issue in the traditionally conservative blues world, as he's been "disinvited" from a number of venues and events.
392:
251:
technique as having influenced his early harmonica playing as well as his decision not to switch to the saxophone. He further developed his playing style listening to and emulating
144:(born February 3, 1974) is an American harmonica player and singer. In addition to his solo albums, Ricci has appeared as a guest harmonica player on albums with
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218:'s Harmonica Blowout". In 2017, Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind signed a record deal with the Eller Soul label and released their new album
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nominations both for best harmonica instrumentalist and best rock blues artist, of which he was awarded best harmonica instrumentalist.
206:
Blues Band. Ricci also continues touring with his band Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind as well as with other bands such as: "Harmonicon" (
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1028:"BREAKING: 2018 Blues Music Award nominees announced: Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Keb' Mo', N. Mississippi Allstars among nominees"
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among others. Ricci was named "Best
Harmonica Player" at the 2010 Blues Music Awards, and also performed on Grammy winning 2014
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Gussow has also included Jason Ricci in the Top 10 All Time
Harmonica Players list on his Modern Blues Harmonica website.
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In
February 2015, Ricci began a national tour with a new band named Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind.
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Arnold, J.W.. "Jason Ricci Bringing His Blues Harmonica Magic to K.C.". Camp KC April 30, 2009
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Bledsoe, Wayne . "Out Gay Bluesman is opening Ears and Minds" . Scripps News, November 28, 2007
570:"Zac Brown and Tom Morello perform for 2015 Rock Hall inductee The Paul Butterfield Blues Band"
342:
magazine as one of the "Top Ten Hottest New Guitarists." In 2005, Ricci was honored with the
291:. This also marked a dark period for Ricci, as drug addiction led to a one-year stint in jail.
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Bledsoe, Wayne "Out Gay Bluesman is opening Ears and Minds" . Scripps News, November 28, 2007
1133:
Long, Autumn . "Jason Ricci Gets His Rocks Off" . Blues Revue Magazine . February/March 2008
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8:
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regarding the case of the contested estate of Joseph Ricci, (accessed December 16, 2014).
332:, Ricci started his own band, Jason Ricci & New Blood, in 2002. This band features
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After 15 months with Big Al and the Heavyweights, and a brief period of living in
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In 2007, Ricci and New Blood were signed to Eclecto Groove, a new subdivision of
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Wenzel, John, "Music Q&A: Jason Ricci" . Get Real Denver . December 20, 2007
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Ricci played harmonica on the song "My Babe" on Johnny Winter's 2014 album
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656:"Racetrack owner Joseph Ricci dies; Millionaire, 54, ran twice for governor"
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873:"Jason Ricci, Country Fried and more music in New Orleans for January 8"
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239:, United States, Jason Ricci is the son of Joseph Ricci (co-founder of
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at the SPAH annual conference in Tulsa, OK. In 2018, Ricci received
283:
In Memphis, Ricci began playing with David Malone Kimbrough, son of
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The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
1008:. Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
602:
357:
was released October 23, 2007. Later in 2009 the band recorded
409:
127:
925:"Johnny Winter takes final 'Step Back' into beloved blues"
1109:"Featured Interview – Jason Ricci – Blues Blast Magazine"
951:"Winter's 'Step Back' wins Grammy for 'Best Blues Album'"
520:
Ricci has also appeared as a guest harmonica player with
1209:"Altered Five Blues Band: Holler if You Hear Me Review"
321:
is one of the best harmonica players of his generation.
677:, 'Son Challenges Ricci Trust Terms', February 2, 2004
899:"The Blues Music Awards 2010 - And The Winner Is..."
433:
Jason Ricci married Kaitlin Dibble on May 17, 2017.
1153:"Jason J Ricci and Kaitlin Dibble on Honeyfund.com"
1243:
16:American harmonica player and singer (born 1974)
793:
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214:, Ricci), "JJ Appleton and Jason Ricci" and "
468:Her Satanic Majesty Requests Harmonica Music
1127:
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922:
740:"How to play harmonica fast, part 1 .015"
353:. His first album with the label, titled
767:
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186:. In February 2015, Ricci played at the
1030:. The Blues Foundation. January 9, 2018
346:Most Promising New Blues Artist award.
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750:from the original on December 21, 2021
708:
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923:Gundersen, Edna (September 1, 2014).
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1207:Warden, Jamie (February 23, 2022).
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336:, who, in June 2008, was named by
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949:Tobias, Mike (February 8, 2015).
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654:Sharp, David (January 30, 2001).
509:(Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind)
382:Grammy Award for Best Blues Album
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1267:American blues harmonica players
1053:"The Expert Guides: Jason Ricci"
516:(Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind)
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366:(2008) and was nominated for a
37:Jason Ricci performing on stage
976:"Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind"
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1:
1287:21st-century American singers
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408:and teaches live lessons via
314:I am convinced he along with
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809:"All Time Blues Harp Greats"
662:. Bangor Daily News (Maine).
225:
7:
774:"Jason Ricci and New Blood"
222:released on June 16, 2017.
10:
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188:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
843:"Past Blues Music Awards"
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84:
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47:
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30:
23:
1079:"Free Harmonica Lessons"
813:Modernbluesharmonica.com
715:"Interview: Jason Ricci"
351:Delta Groove Productions
1277:American LGBT musicians
1057:Harmonicacollective.com
546:Altered Five Blues Band
462:Live At Checkers Tavern
330:Raleigh, North Carolina
1282:LGBT people from Maine
1262:American blues singers
1113:Bluesblastmagazine.com
514:My Chops Are Rolling!!
428:
323:
306:(harmonica player for
299:
43:Background information
423:
312:
297:
1272:Grammy Award winners
1182:Ellersoulrecords.com
1089:on February 13, 2015
1006:"SPAH Award Winners"
986:on February 12, 2015
629:Ellersoulrecords.com
380:. The album won the
361:for the same Label.
1213:Bluesrockreview.com
1178:"EllerSoul Records"
955:Beaumont Enterprise
853:on January 22, 2013
660:bangordailynews.com
625:"EllerSoul Records"
487:Done with the Devil
363:Done With The Devil
359:Done With The Devil
355:Rocket Number Nine,
1237:Live Music Archive
605:on October 3, 2018
507:Approved By Snakes
502:(with JJ Appleton)
384:in February 2015.
300:
220:Approved By Snakes
1188:on March 11, 2019
980:Greeley Blues Jam
902:Theguitarbuzz.com
879:. January 8, 2011
784:on April 9, 2010.
772:Kiser, Michelle.
719:Back to the Roots
635:on March 11, 2019
493:Down That Road...
475:Blood on the Road
397:Blues Music Award
368:Blues Music Award
150:Terence Blanchard
136:
135:
96:vocals, harmonica
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1184:. Archived from
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1085:. Archived from
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780:. Archived from
778:Intrepid Artists
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631:. Archived from
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601:. Archived from
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566:
550:Joe Louis Walker
542:The Mannish Boys
450:Down At The Juke
319:Dennis Gruenling
285:Junior Kimbrough
257:Paul Butterfield
204:Paul Butterfield
174:Joe Louis Walker
170:The Mannish Boys
132:
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58:February 3, 1974
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237:Portland, Maine
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308:Satan and Adam
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495:(compilation)
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60:(age 50)
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1216:. Retrieved
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1190:. Retrieved
1186:the original
1181:
1172:
1160:. Retrieved
1156:
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1129:
1117:. Retrieved
1112:
1103:
1093:February 12,
1091:. Retrieved
1087:the original
1082:
1072:
1062:February 12,
1060:. Retrieved
1056:
1032:. Retrieved
1022:
1010:. Retrieved
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990:February 12,
988:. Retrieved
984:the original
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958:. Retrieved
954:
944:
932:. Retrieved
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906:. Retrieved
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881:. Retrieved
876:
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855:. Retrieved
851:the original
846:
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816:. Retrieved
812:
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782:the original
777:
752:. Retrieved
733:
722:, retrieved
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694:
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659:
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637:. Retrieved
633:the original
628:
619:
607:. Retrieved
603:the original
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577:. Retrieved
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534:Walter Trout
519:
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500:Dirty Memory
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212:Billy Branch
192:Paul Shaffer
181:
162:Walter Trout
141:
140:
106:1995–present
102:Years active
18:
1257:1974 births
1192:October 31,
1162:January 12,
1083:Mooncat.org
960:February 9,
934:February 9,
724:October 24,
674:Bangor News
599:Jason Ricci
530:Ana Popović
526:Nick Curran
444:Jason Ricci
437:Discography
304:Adam Gussow
278:Jason Ricci
265:Adam Gussow
249:overblowing
245:Howard Levy
241:Elan School
216:Mark Hummel
196:Tom Morello
158:Ana Popović
154:Nick Curran
142:Jason Ricci
25:Jason Ricci
1246:Categories
1218:August 28,
1012:August 19,
556:References
310:) saying:
261:Pat Ramsey
235:Raised in
231:Early life
208:Sugar Blue
114:Eller Soul
85:Occupation
54:1974-02-03
1034:March 15,
929:USA Today
908:March 20,
883:March 20,
857:March 20,
847:Blues.org
377:Step Back
226:Biography
200:Zac Brown
190:with the
183:Step Back
877:Nola.com
818:April 8,
754:April 8,
748:Archived
247:and his
88:Musician
1119:May 23,
744:YouTube
639:May 23,
609:May 23,
579:May 23,
123:Website
595:"Tour"
512:2019:
505:2017:
498:2015:
491:2010:
485:2009:
479:2007:
473:2006:
466:2005:
460:2004:
454:2001:
448:1997:
442:1995:
263:, and
194:Band,
180:album
111:Labels
71:Genres
410:Skype
75:Blues
1220:2022
1194:2017
1164:2020
1121:2017
1095:2015
1064:2015
1036:2018
1014:2017
992:2015
962:2015
936:2015
910:2013
885:2013
859:2013
820:2015
756:2015
726:2007
641:2017
611:2017
581:2017
548:and
198:and
172:and
130:.com
79:rock
48:Born
1248::
1211:.
1180:.
1155:.
1111:.
1081:.
1055:.
1044:^
978:.
953:.
927:.
875:.
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790:^
776:.
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717:,
703:^
658:.
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