JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD Source: Des Moines Register Date: 07/2008 Writer: Jeff Morlan

Harmonica phenom Ricci returns to Blues on Grand

Jason Ricci's success playing harmonica started in 1995 on the South Side of blues-hungry Chicago. At 21, he placed first in the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest in Helena, Ark., out-harping known bluesman Michael Burks.

For seven years, Ricci jumped around, winning harmonica contests and building a reputation as the best harmonica player since John Coltrane.

In 2002, he formed New Blood, and after enduring a few member switches during the last five years, Ricci and his band now tour blues bars all over the country and have become extremely popular in the Chicago blues scene.

Ricci and New Blood will grace the stage of Blues on Grand with raw funk-blues from the "Rocket Number 9" album, released in 2007. The album combines heavy, bluesy tunes and unexpected mellow soul. "Rocket Number 9" showcases the resourcefulness of Ricci and his bandmates, including Shawn Starski on guitar, Todd Edmunds on bass, keys and percussion and Ed Michaels on drums.

Tickets cost $10, and are available at the door.