Category: Uncategorized

Very Sad News – Buzz Krantz

Posted on

It is with deep sadness that we must tell you the news that Buzz Krantz passed away today, Sunday, August 20th, 2023. Buzz attended the 60th Anniversary SPAH Convention in St. Louis as an honored SPAH Troubadour this past week. Last night, at the Awards Banquet, Buzz was awarded the 2023 President’s Award for his unparalleled contributions to the instrument and to the SPAH community. Buzz will be remembered for many things, especially the wonderful smile on his face last night upon learning of his award. He will be sorely missed. Buzz’s obituary is posted here.

(SPAH Convention photo thanks to Doug May)

RIP Bud Boblink

Posted on

Sad news of Bud Boblink. As we gather here in St Louis to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of SPAH, it with great sadness that we must note the passing yesterday of a longstanding and good SPAH friend, performer and member, Bud Boblink.  May his memory be a blessing. More will be said about Bud in the next issue of Harmonica Happenings, The Final Chord. We will miss you, Bud! Photo is of Bud Boblink, Tom Stryker and Danny Wilson.

New Album from SPAH Convention Headliner Jason Ricci

Posted on

New Album from SPAH Convention Headliner Jason Ricci

Harmonica Master Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind Get Behind the Veil on Debut Gulf Coast Records Album Coming September 29th

Mark Pucci Media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 1, 2023

 

 

 

Contact: Mark Pucci (770) 804-9555 / mark@markpuccimedia.com

NEDERLAND, TX – Gulf Coast Records announces a September 29th release date for Behind the Veil, the solo label debut from New Orleans-based harmonica master Jason Ricci and his band, The Bad Kind. Gulf Coast will release the album’s first single, “5-10-15,” (which features keyboardist Joe Krown) on August 11; followed by “St James Infirmary” on August 25; and “Why Don’t We Sleep on It” (also with Joe Krown), on September 15.

 

Behind the Veil was produced by Jason Ricci and Tony Daigle and recorded at Dockside Studio, Maurice, Louisiana.  The band is Jason Ricci – diatonic and chord harmonica, vocals, and backup vocals; Ricci’s wife Kaitlin Dibble – vocals and backup vocals; Brent Johnson – guitar and backup vocals; Jack Joshua – double bass, electric bass, vocals, and backup vocals; and John Perkins – drums and backup vocals. Special guests include Joe Krown – piano and Hammond B3 organ (tracks 2, 8, 12); Gulf Coast labelmate Joanna Connor – guitar (track 10) and Lauren Mitchell – backup vocals.

 

Jason Ricci talks about each of the singles:

“5-10-15” – “This was actually the song that made me want to record this CD. Singer Kaitlin Dibble has been singing this number for a few years and the wheels in my mind started turning on how to capture it the way I heard so many tunes I on Bob Murret’s WWOZ show. I love the New Orleans R&B feel and I really think we captured it here thanks to Tony Daigle, Kid Andersen and the band, of course. The whole reason we recorded this CD live in one room was centered around this number.”

 

“St James Infirmary” – “This old standard is almost the ‘Mustang Sally’ of New Orleans music so if I didn’t think we had something really special here I would have never let it on stage – much more this record.”

 

“Why Don’t We Sleep On It” – “Kate and I were having a rare argument and the band was in need of some more music. So I sat down to write a tune about how much better I would be doing without her and then kept hearing her voice or my own telling me the truth or her side… So I wrote both our parts; she loved it; we made up and had this fun duet. “

Jason Ricci is represented by Steele Management and booked by The Ketch Agency.

Behind the Veil Track Listing

 

  1. Casco Bay – Jason Ricci
  2. 5 -10 -15 – Rudy Toombs
  3. Baked Potato – Jason Ricci / Stachurski Shawn Dustin
  4. Cirque du Soleil – Jack Joshua
  5. Wrong Kind of Easy / Nobody But You – Kaitlin Dibble (Wrong Kind Of Easy) – Walter Spriggs (Nobody But You)
  6. Ain’t She Fine – Bobby Rush
  7. St. James Infirmary – Irving Mills / Don Redman
  8. Why Don’t We Sleep On It – Jason Ricci (Lyrics & Music) / Brent Johnson (Music)
  9. Terrors Of Nightlife – Dax Riggs
  10.  No Way – Kaitlin Dibble
  11.  Shipwreck – Jeff Turmes
  12.  Hip Hug-Her – Booker T. & The M.G.’s. (Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones)

 

Jason Ricci Tour Dates

 

8/15-8/17            SPAH Convention             St. Louis, MO – Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind

8/18                     The Washington               Burlington, IA – Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind

8/19                      Rosa’s Lounge                   Chicago, IL – Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind

and more!

www.gulfcoastrecords.net

https://mooncat.org/

Kerrville Folk Festival Harmonica Workshop

Posted on

June 5-7, 2023. Director Roy Roy Parnell is joined by PT Gazell, Ronnie Shellist, assisted by Michael D’Eath, for 3 days of instruction for intermediate to veteran players. Fee includes the class, a special KFF T-shirt, lunches each day, and may include admission to the Festival if you are not already in attendance at the Festival.

For workshop details, click here.

For more information and tickets, go to the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation website.

Note: SPAH members receive a 10% discount by using the code SPAH10 when registering.

Price is $450 including Festival admission for 3 days, or $375 for those without festival tickets.

Please join this longstanding workshop, amazing instructors, the campground music, fabulous nightly concerts and camaraderie!

Harpfest in May

Posted on

There is a harmonica workshop taking place in Helen, GA this May 17th – 21st. Hosted by Rob Paparozzi, Jason Ricci, and Todd Parrott, Harpfest is an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the greatest players in the world! For more information and registration, please email jimmyescott.1@gmail.com!