JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD Source: Seven Eight Five Date: 10/2007 Writer: n/a

That all-important weekend question is generally answered from a list of the many quality local bands gigging Topeka these days, like the BLT Band, Skydog, Soul Collective, Steve Kile or Patty King and the Back Seat Boys. But quite oft en, at least at a couple of Top City venues, touring bands are on the marquee. And when they’re in town on the day their CD is being nationally released, you know you’ve got a special show. So look out Tues., Oct. 23, because that’s when harp extraordinaire Jason

Ricci hits the Varsity Blues stage, along with his heavy hitting band mates, New Blood.

So just what entices a national touring act like Delta Groove productions artist Ricci to make it a point tohit a small venue like the Blues here in America’s heartland? Two things, according to Ricci. The first is the sound of the room.

“We play better when we like the sound of the room, and Varsity Blues has a great sound.”
The second is the quality of the relationship with those who run the club.

“We love Marni and Kim. They know we’re on a journey, and they make us feel really welcome from the moment we arrive.”

So, in spite of the limited seating compared to many of the places they play, including headlining one night recently at Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Festival in Indiana, they continue to book the Blues as they crisscross the country.

“The audience at the Blues gets what we’re doing,” explains Ricci.

And just what does Ricci and New Blood bring to the table?

“We’re a rock and roll band that includes the blues. We mix in a lot of styles of music,” a quality Ricci is quick to attribute to the others in the band. When talking about his quality rhythm section, Rod Sutton on drums and Todd Edmunds on bass, Ricci points to their affinity for a variety of styles. “They are both great at integrating several infl uences into one song.” Even more, “They pay attention to what’s happening. They respond to what the others on stage are doing.”

Ricci speaks equally enthusiastically about guitar slinger Shawn Starski.

“Working with Shawn has been a most incredible experience. I’ve learned more from playing with him than any other harp player or teacher I’ve worked with. His chord choices, harmonic knowledge and ability to weave in unique time signatures all help really define
our sound.”

But let there be no mistake, the sound is Ricci’s breathtaking - both his and the audience’s - harp playing. Kava of “Th e Mercury News” put it, “Ricci links the jazz mastery of Howard Levy, with the blues precision of Jerry Portnoy and hits speeds that make John Popper look like he’s standing still.”

Again, it’s Ricci’s ability to blend other’s styles – from Levy’s Flecktone jazz grounding to Popper’s Blues Travelers rollicking rock application – with his own skills and vision, that makes him a huge presence on the harp. And then, when you throw in the interplay with Starski’s guitar, you get some absolutely smokin’ jams, smokin’ enough that Kim will be able to BBQ her great ribs from Ricci and New Blood’s hot grooves alone.

In fact, the combination of a tantalizing rib dinner, a cold brew or two, and the electrifying sounds of Jason,  Shawn, Rod and Todd will deliver the best show in Topeka that night, and quite possibly any other night this Fall. But you better get there early, the seats go fast when a hot touring band gets to perform in a quality, intimate environment in which they feel appreciated and welcomed.