An Elk River Boy made good

Jason Ricci back in Pburg, May 29

I know people who have driven across two states to hear Jason Ricci play. People won't do that for just anybody. When Ricci performs, it's more than just the energy and drive his performance, Jason Ricci is, simply put, one of the most innovative musicians alive. He is on the razor edge of harmonica innovation and certainly one of the most unique players today.

At age 33, Ricci has already become a legend. By the time he was 21, he had won the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest, had performed on the main stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, been featured on the Memphis evening news, and had worked with Susan Tedeschi, Billy Gibson, and Bobby Little.

As a dynamic teenage prodigy, he was relatively new to the instrument, but developed his skills quickly through hard work and practice. The bluesman/rocker from Portland, Maine, started playing harmonica at the age of 14 and soon began studying the work of the harmonica masters, especially Little Walter.

Ricci makes no secret about how he makes a harmonica do what he makes it do. He has dozens of instructional videos on You Tube, which can be viewed for free and are an excellent resource for any developing player. He's also a very polite person. There's something to be said for that.

For more information, visit Ricci's Web sites at www.jasonricci.com and www.myspace.com/jasonricciandnewblood.