It's strange really because Blues is regarded as 'macho 'music, even redneck in some cases when we have white blues artists YET consider Bessie Smith , Alberta Hunter, Big Mama Thornton, Billie Holiday. (all gay or bi-)
The wonderful James Booker "Junco Partner" was one of the few who came out in the 70s...Long John Baldry did in the 60s.
In the jazz world we've had the unbeatable Billy Strayhorn.
I wish Mr Ricci all the best. He's a huge talent.I agree with him 100%.
Jason I played guitar with You, the late Rock Bottom and Kim Harpo at Dave's Aqua Lounge, St. Pete, Fl. about 6-7 years ago. Great to see you are doing so well. We rocked the room of about 10 people but we played like there were 1000.
when I saw the first clip of Jason I knew the man was gay! ; ) Wow, a white gay blues harmonicaplayer! So, u got it all! : ) Keep up the good work Jason!
He's obviously a charismatic guy with a nimble intelligence that always seem to wink in a friendly way. Departing from his uncanny talent that in a compare and contrast sort of way always makes me want to hang myself I'd like to exploit something else: He's generous of himself, grateful for his audience, and quick to compliment other less dynamic players without hitting a disingenuous note. More than once he's hit my myspace or youtube page and dropped a compliment for no reason than to do it..
Vey cool Jason , yes I agree with your statement That ,Where Hard Work Perseverence and Raw Talent Garrentee Muscians abosolutely nothing , and yes it is allot about Who we know in the bussiness that can help us all go forward , Usually we have to do it all ourselves , promotion finding gigs etc !. Good on ya Mate choice interview Jason.
hahaha - the women who know him already know - and love him to death. But yeah - I'm sure a few girls' hearts break each time when they find out he isn't available. ;) Jason's one of those pure souls everyone loves.
Let me hazard a guess, Zack: it might be either: one of Jason's own customized harps; a Joe Spiers custom harp,or even a Filisko. I believe he was already playing the B-Radical prototype in 2008 (when this interview was shot), but the first clip does look like an MB. I sincerely doubt (as good friends as he is with Chris) that he's playing a Buddha harp there (I have 4 of those)...but I'll happily stand corrected if Jason weighs in... :)
oh yeah...the Buddhas are gorgeous..stunning. My 4 have beautiful different coloured combs and I couldn't be more pleased with them. I'M just not good enough a diatonic player yet to do them full justice, but I have them for when I get there (I'm still a chromatic player, geared to jazz, which is why I wanted Chris' harps). A friend saw Jason last night and said he was playing mostly Spiers? I think it all depends on the songs he's doing for a particular gig. I guess only Jason knows. ;)
the harp-l friend who saw him last night hasn't seen him in over a year, RAVED about how incredible Jason (and the band's) performance was, how he had the audience in the palm of his hand. He's long been a huge fan and like me is always blown away by just how much J raises the bar each time. :) Anyway, I do play chroms but was away from it for years - play mostly R&B & ballads, don't have great technique so am still an amateur (working hard). Some people like how I sound, so it works for me. ;)
Authentic and honest - no lies just the truth - maybe the most interesting interview I've ever seen
CrossBonesAlex 1 week ago
It's strange really because Blues is regarded as 'macho 'music, even redneck in some cases when we have white blues artists YET consider Bessie Smith , Alberta Hunter, Big Mama Thornton, Billie Holiday. (all gay or bi-)
The wonderful James Booker "Junco Partner" was one of the few who came out in the 70s...Long John Baldry did in the 60s.
In the jazz world we've had the unbeatable Billy Strayhorn.
I wish Mr Ricci all the best. He's a huge talent.I agree with him 100%.
taildragger53 7 months ago
Jason you are a great artist but all the best harmonica players all sound the same.
make a new style ! you can do it
akmikeman35 1 year ago
I just want Jason to know his "girls" all miss him. I can't wait to see that sweet Moon Kitty again. Smiling, healthy and happy.
myrmeid 1 year ago
I loved you when I thought you were straight and I love you more that I know your gay
ArtofDreaming1 1 year ago 2
Jason I played guitar with You, the late Rock Bottom and Kim Harpo at Dave's Aqua Lounge, St. Pete, Fl. about 6-7 years ago. Great to see you are doing so well. We rocked the room of about 10 people but we played like there were 1000.
lazyboyblues 1 year ago
Have enjoyed JR's vids on youtube here for years;
This interview is brutally honest, brutally cool.
As a non-biased hetero, still good to see an openly gay harmonica player sucking on his fags...
For a 2 pack-a-day smoker gives me hopes my lungs will be able to handle the chugging and puffing on my harps too! :)
DixonSteele1on1 1 year ago
YOUR Music is what opened me up to listen to blues music! I really hope to see you play again in Seattle! Hope you are feeling better as well!!
No1Greyhound 1 year ago
okay it's almost august ....how's it going ?
Proud of ya ... from the crazy blonde blues harp player! :)
compudoll 1 year ago
when I saw the first clip of Jason I knew the man was gay! ; ) Wow, a white gay blues harmonicaplayer! So, u got it all! : ) Keep up the good work Jason!
toym8 1 year ago
very cool interview...I miss Jason. By the way I'm a lesbian
christellester 1 year ago
Unafraid, quick and intelligent. Put the cards on the table.
tomwalbank 1 year ago
What is the name of the last song Jason Does on this interview?? I heard the words I Feel Like A New Man!!
HarpinBill 2 years ago
Bill it's called "I'm a new man"
sQrin 2 years ago
Thanks sQrin! Now to find the song and music!!!
HarpinBill 2 years ago
Preach on, Jason!
Sagiru 2 years ago
He's obviously a charismatic guy with a nimble intelligence that always seem to wink in a friendly way. Departing from his uncanny talent that in a compare and contrast sort of way always makes me want to hang myself I'd like to exploit something else: He's generous of himself, grateful for his audience, and quick to compliment other less dynamic players without hitting a disingenuous note. More than once he's hit my myspace or youtube page and dropped a compliment for no reason than to do it..
bigdennism 2 years ago
Good interview with a good guy - Well said Big Dennis I agree with everything you said
strawwoodclaw 2 years ago
Great interview, but really impressive production value on the video. Editing, sound quality, did I mention editing?
blake46long 2 years ago
Vey cool Jason , yes I agree with your statement That ,Where Hard Work Perseverence and Raw Talent Garrentee Muscians abosolutely nothing , and yes it is allot about Who we know in the bussiness that can help us all go forward , Usually we have to do it all ourselves , promotion finding gigs etc !. Good on ya Mate choice interview Jason.
Davey G . New Zealand Harpman .
daveyg06 2 years ago
Terrific harmonica playing... Nice to know more about the musician.
Regards
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Mundharp 2 years ago
so beautifully cynical
angrykoopa 2 years ago
you are so cool!!
yvelucia 2 years ago
@5:33 Poor Jason! ;-)
(Nice interview, though)
exiledtopa 2 years ago
we all have the blues!!! thanx for the video
turkishtrader 2 years ago
Great interview
zhigan83 2 years ago
Had to turn the volume up @ 5:16. Couldn't hear over all the girls breaking hearts.
harpo10 2 years ago
hahaha - the women who know him already know - and love him to death. But yeah - I'm sure a few girls' hearts break each time when they find out he isn't available. ;) Jason's one of those pure souls everyone loves.
ElizabethGS 2 years ago
Love it Jason, Marie
worldofnana1 2 years ago
First Viewer!!! This is an awesome interview. Jason is the greatest in the world.
superchucker77 2 years ago
@superchucker77 Brandon, notice in that first clip of him playing...it's a Buddha Harp.
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago
Let me hazard a guess, Zack: it might be either: one of Jason's own customized harps; a Joe Spiers custom harp,or even a Filisko. I believe he was already playing the B-Radical prototype in 2008 (when this interview was shot), but the first clip does look like an MB. I sincerely doubt (as good friends as he is with Chris) that he's playing a Buddha harp there (I have 4 of those)...but I'll happily stand corrected if Jason weighs in... :)
ElizabethGS 2 years ago
I thought so, but I think I was proven wrong. Jason does have some, though, I do know this. I have one, too. It is a great harp, isn't it?
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago
oh yeah...the Buddhas are gorgeous..stunning. My 4 have beautiful different coloured combs and I couldn't be more pleased with them. I'M just not good enough a diatonic player yet to do them full justice, but I have them for when I get there (I'm still a chromatic player, geared to jazz, which is why I wanted Chris' harps). A friend saw Jason last night and said he was playing mostly Spiers? I think it all depends on the songs he's doing for a particular gig. I guess only Jason knows. ;)
ElizabethGS 2 years ago
You play chromatic, huh? Love to hear that! Yes, the Buddhas rule! Well, either way, he has harmonicas in that case of his!
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago
the harp-l friend who saw him last night hasn't seen him in over a year, RAVED about how incredible Jason (and the band's) performance was, how he had the audience in the palm of his hand. He's long been a huge fan and like me is always blown away by just how much J raises the bar each time. :) Anyway, I do play chroms but was away from it for years - play mostly R&B & ballads, don't have great technique so am still an amateur (working hard). Some people like how I sound, so it works for me. ;)
ElizabethGS 2 years ago
@superchucker77 or at least I think it is lol.
ZackPomerleau 2 years ago