Jason Ricci and New Blood: A Modern Blues Force

Jason Ricci and New Blood is an American harmonica-driven blues and roots rock band fronted by the virtuoso Jason Ricci. The band emerged from Portland, Maine, and gained critical acclaim for their explosive live performances and Ricci's technically audacious harmonica style, which helped them secure a Blues Music Award nomination in 2008.

Early career

Jason Ricci, born in 1974, began his professional journey in the 1990s, cutting his teeth in the Memphis blues scene and touring with rockabilly singer Big Joe Duskin. His raw talent and eclectic influences, spanning from traditional blues to punk, led to his first solo album, "Jason Ricci," released in 1995 on the short-lived River Music label.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived with their 2007 album "Rocket Number 9," released on the eclectic Eclecto Groove Records. This album showcased their frenetic, genre-bending sound to a national audience, solidifying their reputation as one of the most dynamic acts in modern blues and earning Ricci the title of "Best Harmonica Player" at the 2010 Blues Music Awards.

Key tracks

Rocket Number 9 — The title track from their breakthrough album is a high-energy showcase of Ricci's revolutionary amplified harmonica technique.

Done With the Devil — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse traditional blues themes with a hard-edged, contemporary rock intensity.

I'm a New Man — A standout from their 2008 album "Done With the Devil," this song highlights Ricci's soulful vocal delivery and lyrical depth.

Sweet Loving — This song demonstrates the band's versatility, incorporating funk and R&B grooves into their core blues-rock foundation.

Following their peak activity in the late 2000s, Jason Ricci has remained a prolific and respected figure, collaborating with artists like Walter Trout, Ana Popovic, and Nick Moss. He continues to release solo and collaborative work, including the 2023 album "Behind the Veil" with Jacek Mazurkiewicz, while New Blood's influential catalog remains a touchstone for modern blues enthusiasts.

Fans of Jason Ricci and New Blood's high-octane approach to blues-rock should also explore Walter Trout for similar guitar-driven blues intensity. The North Mississippi Allstars share a deep roots sensibility blended with rock energy. Govt Mule offers a parallel in jam-oriented blues-rock with virtuosic musicianship. Anders Osborne delivers a comparable mix of soulful songwriting and fiery guitar work.

The music of Jason Ricci and New Blood maintains a strong presence on radio, featured across a spectrum of stations from dedicated blues FM channels to independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams that champion authentic, musician-driven sounds.

Listeners can discover the powerful blues-rock of Jason Ricci and New Blood on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear their key tracks and experience the band's dynamic contribution to modern American music.