Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind

6-21-2026
Jason Ricci's style of harmonica playing is so revolutionary that you have simply never seen anyone play quite like he does. His effect on the music world has been so influential that there exists and entire new generation of players imitating his music, clothes, gear and even stage presence. He is one of the most popular harmonica players on the planet today, and his music is listed in almost every top ten playlist on college, blues and internet radio. Jason is a “players player.” He is in demand and on the lips of critics, musicians and fans everywhere.
“Jason Ricci is one of the best and most imitated blues harmonica players of the 21st century,” raves Blues Blast Magazine.
“Anyone yet to experience Ricci’s electrifying harmonica skills will be floored,” claims American Songwriter.
Jason has 7 nominations for "Blues Harmonica Player of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards - winnning the award in 2010, 2018 & 2022.
He picked up the instrument as a teenager when he started playing in a punk rock band. His journey started in earnest when he watched and later was mentored by legendary harmonica player Pat Ramsey in Memphis. As Ricci gigged and grew as a player he found work and support from the southern blues community. He lived and played with Junior and David Kimbrough in Mississippi and then worked as a sideman with Big Al and The Heavyweights for more than a year. In the late 90s, he formed Jason Ricci and New Blood, a band that toured around the world for more than a decade and released critically praised albums like "Done With The Devil" and "Rocket Number 9." Ricci’s latest chapter is the New Orleans band Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind, a band influenced by the sounds of New Orleans and artists like The Meters and Doctor John. What defines Jason Ricci as an artist is the fearlessness with which he approaches his instrument and music and transmutes the hardships we all face into unforgettable music.
Ricci played harmonica on the song "My Babe" from Johnny Winter's 2014 Grammy® Award-winning album "Step Back." In April 2015, he 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 2019, Jason Ricci was invited by Jazz legend Terence Blanchard to record music for Tyler Perry's movie a "Jazzman's Blues."
Jason's new album "Behind the Veil" is available now. Get a signed copy at the show.