07/09/2026
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"We first saw JASON RICCI—then a relatively unknown artist—impress the audience at the Moulin Blues festival in Ospel in 2009. However, he subsequently went through a turbulent period that prevented him from performing in Europe for a long time. We were therefore delighted to see him return to Ospel in 2016, performing with his American band, THE BAD KIND. By now, Jason Ricci has become synonymous with contemporary blues—though one has to be prepared to deal with his idiosyncratic nature and well-known quirks.
Jason Ricci can rightly be called a harmonica virtuoso. In 2010, he was named "Best Harmonica Player" at the Blues Music Awards, and in 2015, CNN described his performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert as "goosebump music." Ultimately, Ricci is a master of contrast, subtlety, complexity, variety, and emotion. Born in the port city of Portland, Maine, he started out in a punk band before deciding to focus on the harmonica—a move that proved successful. Inspired by artists such as Howard Levy and Paul Butterfield, Ricci won various honors and awards, rising to become a musician of significant stature. He frequently performed as a guest artist alongside names like Walter Trout, Johnny Winter, Joe Louis Walker, and Nick Curran. In the meantime, he successfully released several solo albums with various backing bands.
In 1995, Jason moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and recorded his self-titled debut album. Two years later, *Down @ The Juke* (1997) was released—also on North Magnolia Music—featuring drummer Kenny Kimbrough and guitarist Enrico Crivellaro. During this successful period, however, he succumbed to drug addiction and ended up in prison. In 1999, Jason won the Mars National Harmonica Contest and returned to the stage. After a brief stint with Big Al & The Heavyweights, Jason formed his own band, Jason Ricci & New Blood, and released their debut album, *Feel Good Funk* (2001). In 2007, he signed with Eclecto Groove (a subsidiary of Delta Groove Productions), releasing *Rocket Number 9* (2007) and *Done With The Devil* (2009) on the label.
*13 Hours* is the new album from Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind, featuring guest vocalist Kaitlin Dibble. Ricci plays a "C" Hohner Marine Band harmonica—customized by Tom Halchak of Blue Moon Harmonicas—in the key of G major (2nd position/Cross Harp). On this new album, Ricci places the listener on a scale balancing exhaustion and resistance, navigating frustrations with the world, the music industry, and relationships, as well as his own internal conflicts. Ricci seeks out the raw reality of staying present when optimism is scarce and survival becomes a conscious choice. His songs oscillate between anger and fatigue, dark humor and unflinching honesty; social commentary and personal reflection blend seamlessly. Yet, *13 Hours* is not a hopeless album. Amidst the sharp edges, there are moments of intimacy and clarity, enhanced by the interplay between Ricci, The Bad Kind (Brent Johnson: guitar, Bill Blok: bass, and Benny Piazza: drums), and guest vocalist Kaitlin Dibble. Jason Ricci dedicates the album to drummer John Perkins, who recently passed away.
The funky opener—with a title like "Sick of this Sh*t"—immediately sets the tone with restless energy, sharp humor, and raw vulnerability. It captures the frailty of modern life, a broken music industry, honesty, and self-awareness. Next comes "Tired of Tryin"—a song by Johnny Winter—driven by a distinctive groove. Jason’s mentor was Pat Ramsey, who played in Winter’s band for years. Kaitlin Dibble makes her first appearance here. The lightning-fast, rousing instrumental "Leo Watkins Rag" contrasts with "Long Twisted Night"—written and performed by Kaitlin—which unfolds as a poignant, cinematic portrayal of addiction, love, and the commitment to seeking help. Her lyrics feature lines like "buzzing electric wires" and "devils wearing clothes," capturing the quiet pain of loving someone who is at war with themselves. It is intimate, unflinching, and heartbreakingly human, making it one of the album's most vulnerable tracks. Percy Mayfield’s "River’s Invitation" transports you to the streets of New Orleans, while "Renegade" stands as an ode to individuality.
Earlier, “Bubble Gum Pop” served as an ironic reminder that survival sometimes simply means taking a breath and stepping back, while the Big Easy tribute “The Big Diseasey” drives forward with unmistakable Crescent City swagger, rich in raw energy and groove. The instrumental “Nuit Waltz” drifts along to a slow-waltz rhythm, featuring the blues played with elegant finesse. Ricci wrote “13 Hours”—the expansive title track that closes the album—as a tribute to the band’s drummer, John Perkins (d. 2024). It serves as the emotional centerpiece: a poignant road anthem about loss, brotherhood, and the miles that bind musicians together. Ultimately, *13 Hours* is not an album designed to please; it confronts. Ricci’s own life—marked by multiple BMA awards, Grammy-winning collaborations, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame appearances, and grueling battles with addiction and homelessness—imbues the album with authentic, hard-won experience."
Eric Schuurmans
