On Jason's new website it has a section for press releases and the press release they have posted is from July 15th and below the main section of the press release there is a little blurb that says this:
"After 9 years of non-stop touring, and a 2010 that was filled with highs and lows (from a Blues Music Award to pneumonia), Jason Ricci has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from the touring blues world. All remaining 2010 shows will be released. Jason will spend his energy doing workshops and teaching harmonica. He may occasionally be a guest with another artist or perform locally with his rock duo. "
The last time I had seen Jason's new website it had a section with a list of his new upcoming tour dates with his new band, but now that section has dissapeared. This leads me to believe that all those dates have been cnceled : ( But in the news section there's a post from July 23rd that says: "Soon Jason Ricci will descend upon the Big Easy, New Orleans Louisiana. The new Jason Ricci Band will be based out of New Orleans and have already begun rehearsals. Jason will join them later in the week as they prepare for Jason's summer and fall tours."
And there's is another blurb in the news section that talks about Jason hiring multi-instrumentalist John Lisi for his 2010 August Tour. So does Jason have a new band or doesn't he? And if so, are they touring or aren't they? This is all very confusing. I was so excited when I first saw Jason's new website and the list of new tour dates and saw that Jason was finally going to be playing in my area. But now it seems unlikely that's going to happen : (
I see John Lisi frequently here in New Orleans, and he has never mentioned anything about Jason to me, though I have never asked him. If Jason is Using John Lisi and his band, Delta Funk, it is going to be great. They are all fantastic. They host the Jam Session at the club where we hold our Harmonica Club Meeting, and he is very harp friendly, and a generally nice guy.
We have a meeting this Wednesday, and I will ask John and report back.
Whhhhaaaaaatttt? Jason's here? Well, he's a skater, which means he'll probably be out front of my building jumping off the stairs, which seems a popular thing to do in the skate scene. And yes, teaming with John and Delta Funk(if that were to happen) would be an incredible 'rebound' band for him. I'll keep an eye out. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Jason's sudden decision to stop touring is remarkable change of direction. About a month ago, he issued a press release blaming his band for acting unprofessionally--it was also a blog entry on his MySpace page--but insisting that, after a slight stumble and a few canceled gigs, he was looking forward to fulfilling his commitments and playing all his scheduled gigs starting in early August.
Now he's simply canceled everything, without much explanation--and without blaming his band, or management, or anybody else. That's a good thing. Negativity in the world of showbusiness tends to be counterproductive.
Given his remarkable and exhausting touring schedule of the past decade, Jason has more than earned a time-out.
I can't blame him at all because road life is TOUGH and often times you gotta take whatever sleep you can get, often in the wierdest places, lots of bad food on the road, and a whole lot more. Being on the road can eventually burn you out big time. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Trust me, some of the places open on a highway late at night can be far from appetizing, plus too mych grease, and at times, they're not as clean as they should be. Back in the day when all you had open after 2 AM was Hojo (Howard Johnson's), the old saying that "their ice cream came in 28 flavors but their food was one.......and god awful" weren't kidding. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Traveling town to town foodwise and sleep wise gets old real quick. The interstates are all the same choices- mostly unhealthy fat loaded foods. Now some would say - why not ask where to eat in town? that sounds good in theory, but when you have driven all night, slept in hard, funky, mold smelling hotel rooms, dealing with this just is not doable. You are fried. You are trying to secure your lodging, get your gear in the club, do a sound check, make sure your clothes are clean....... Just finding laundromats use to be a huge challenge, let alone dry cleaners for suits. All this stuff adds up, plus bad weather, accident delays, road construction, breakdowns, and the list goes on. Now there is GPS and mapquest. That is a huge destresser. Back in the days I was traveling town to town, getting to the towns was the easy part via state maps. Once in the city, then it became an oftentime nightmare.
the older guys that toured in buses use to have those pre george foreman like grills and would cook a pound or 2 of hamburger a day on the bus and or eat sardines. I learned from Jimmy Carl Black (the drummer for Frank Zappa and the mothers of invention) who played with me (and gary primach) on and off for many years, to go to chinese restraunts when you saw them. They are always open, offer healthy choices, are generally consistent for good food, and you can get alot for the $ and you can have leftovers to eat after the gig. That is a huge luxury when you pull out of a club at 3am because nothing is open but those fast food dumps.
Most people that have done a few dates out of town in a row, and have slept in forgien beds, have gotten a taste of just how insane making doing that year round can be. That is why the big bands like the stones, etc, bring their own cooks on tour. I never ceased to be amazed to see guys like albert king, albert collins, buddy guy, junior wells, do this crazy lifestyle night after night.
If I ever get to tour again, it will be in my own bus, with my own food in the fridge. The bus offers you a sense of always being home. You have your own bed, food, comfort stuff with you. I owned a 40 foot bus for a few years and used it to go to perform at the international blues challenge, and about 100 dates around the country. these were all as a one man band.
Having to share space 24/7 with bandmates is just about a certain for conflict. I could never go back to that way of touring. I hope Jason has enough funds/ways of making money to survive without touring. For most that are fortunate enough to be able to tour at his level, once they stop, they usually are penniless in a matter of days. Most go to a regular day job. Day jobs have their benefits for sure- you will be able to eat! Walter
here was our bus. I traveled with my wife, two dogs and cat. It was a real trip of luxury for sure!
----------
walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Walter, you are telling the truth!!!! Some of the hotels aren't exactly too inviting either. Most fans think every artist has everything in luxury, which may be true for the top 1% in the industry (and 99% of blues artists CLEARLY are nowhere near that at all) and some the hotels can be so bad, you're hoping that there's no bed bugs or anything else creepy. Hell, one place I stayed at had their pool drained and it was pretty scary looking to the point that I was wondering when Norman Bates from the movie "Psycho" would coming. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
I'm confused about whether he is no longer touring or whether he is preparing to tour with a new band in New Orleans. The dates of the updates on his website seem to be conflicting. At the very end of his July 15th press release there is a message saying that he has indefinately stopped touring. But on July 22nd there's a news update saying that guitarist John Lisi wil be joining Jason's new band for his August tour. And the next day on July 23rd it says Jason will be joining his new band down down in New Orleans later this week as thet prepare for there upcoming summer and fall tour.
Is this conflicting information totally confusing to anyone else? First there's the message saying he's taken an indefinite leave of absence from touring. Then, only days later, there's a message talking about him adding a new band member for his tour, and another message saying he's about to meet up with his new band so they can begin a new tour.
Kudzurunner said: "About a month ago, he issued a press release blaming his band for acting unprofessionally--it was also a blog entry on his MySpace page--but insisting that, after a slight stumble and a few canceled gigs, he was looking forward to fulfilling his commitments and playing all his scheduled gigs starting in early August. Now he's simply canceled everything, without much explanation--and without blaming his band, or management, or anybody else. That's a good thing."
Well actually I didn't post his entire press release because it had some rather strange negative comments blaming people for what happened.
Here is the entire July 15th Press Release from Jason's website:
"JASON RICCI: Alive and Well
(New Orleans, LA) We would first like to inform Jason Ricci's fans, colleagues and business associates that, despite widespread and far-fetched rumors to the contrary, Jason is alive and well. He was recently hospitalized with a severe respiratory infection but is now almost fully recovered and getting better daily. Despite his illness, Jason stood ready to fulfill his most recent touring schedule and regrets that he was forced to cancel several U.S. dates and a short European tour due to the un-professional actions of some former members of his band and business team. Jason will resume touring on August 21st at the White Mountain Boogie and Blues festival in Thornton, NH with a new team behind him with a restored energy and focus in his music.
The Blues Music Association's "Harmonica Player of the Year" Jason Ricci has lived amongst rumors most of his life. Like David Bowie, James Cotton, Iggy Pop and Muddy Waters, Jason has lived life on the edge, an edge where sometimes life gets ugly. On that edge the truth eventually surfaces. For Jason the result was exhaustion and just plain boredom from the lack of professional direction in everyone around him. In June when Jason Ricci and New Blood endured a poorly booked European tour Jason was unaware that he had been suffering from pneumonia for six months. He was rapidly losing weight but refused to slow down his lifestyle and his touring. Fatigue eventually overcame him and in mid-June he was hospitalized and began treatment for his illness. It is deeply disappointing that at the same time, the people who had made their living off of Jason's raw talent, hard work, and lifelong dedication to his instrument, would stage a dramatic departure from his band, business, and life. Jason Ricci is young man who is passionate about life and has a unique approach to everything that he does.
There are enough truths about Jason that are just as interesting as the rumors often spread about him. He cares deeply for his fans and all the people who have believed in him throughout his career. He sends his deepest apologies to the promoters and venues of the performances he was forced to cancel. As bandleader, he also apologizes for the unprofessional actions of his former team that left him no choice. Jason wants everyone to know and understand that he is looking forward to the future with new management, agent, and band that together will change the way people look and listen to the harmonica and his music. He sincerely appreciates all the cards, emails, prayers, and letters that fans from throughout the world have sent wishing him a speedy recovery. You can be sure that he is looking forward to seeing you all again soon
###
After 9 years of non-stop touring, and a 2010 that was filled with highs and lows (from a Blues Music Award to pneumonia), Jason Ricci has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from the touring blues world. All remaining 2010 shows will be released. Jason will spend his energy doing workshops and teaching harmonica. He may occasionally be a guest with another artist or perform locally with his rock duo.
Piedmont Talent looks forward to his eventual return to worldwide stage and all the fans, promoters and friends that love him."
Hmmm, I just reread that press release and in the very first paragraph it says he'll start touring again August 21st.
I guess that means the blurb at the end that says he's stopped touring was added more recently. They should have dated it because it looks like it's part of the original press release. I suppose the "###" symbol was put there to indicate a new post.
I guess things didn't work out with his new band in New Orleans : (
Last Edited by on Aug 09, 2010 2:30 PM
until we hear from jason, we should take all this with a grain of salt. especially since we are getting conflicting reports.
how about we start a "jason pool"? everybody throws in a $1. the first person to see him perform with a band of his own (which means no "special guest", no jamming while taking a break from boarding, no youtubes tutorials, no old video clips...), wins the pot.
Walter, your bus is nicer than my home (and bigger)! ---------- Andrew, gentleman of leisure, noodler extraordinaire.
Last Edited by on Aug 09, 2010 2:48 PM
#1 : John Lisi is alot of fun. I'm in a Trio, and the frontman also has a 5-piece that opened for JL a year ago for the Mardis Gras show. He invited my pal's sax player to sit in with them, and he played all night !
#2 : If it were not for musicians, Denny's would have gone out of business years ago !
Personally, when out of town on a long trip, I always bring along some fresh veggies to snack on in case we find nothing but ptomaine taverns open late.
Andrew: That was a window of fantasy come true. The other 20 or so years were done in funky vehicles, funky hotels, and funky eats. I am glad I did it because I was inspired. Now, I have no interest in that kind of touring. Plus playing 10-2 sounds like a sentence to hell. Most gigs you end up playing to nobobdy for the last 2 sets and no one really has 4 hours of straight good stuff in them. That is another thing that fries musicians and bands. Drinking and drugs come into play to get through those last 2 sets for most. 1-2 hours of playing is much more realistic IMO. Also you have to deal with cigarette smoke in a lot of states. That wears you out as well, especially if you are not a smoker. Your equipment, clothes, and your hair, reaks of it. It is disgusting to take a shower after a smoke filled gig and smell it coming out of your hair. Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
I'm sorry to report that Jason will not be playing this show in Boulder with Nick Curran. It was a leftover date from his former booking agency which has not been updated for some reason. Hopefully Nick Curran will still be there to put on a good show for you fans, but don't show up expecting to hear Jason Ricci.
I have confirmed with both Jason himself and his manager that there are no confirmed gigs and that Jason is not touring at this time. If you see him listed on any venue's calendar, please notify me so that I can work with the venues to correct those listings. My goal here is to get the best, most accurate information to Jason's fans, not only through Harp-L but any other reasonable means. At this point, the most reliable information about Jason's tour schedule comes from his current booking agency, Piedmont Talent, and their updates are sent to me and immediately put into Danny's gig list right here on Harp-L. So when in doubt, check the gig list -- if it's not on there, Jason ain't playing. And as of now, there are no shows for Jason Ricci on the gig list. If and when Jason resumes touring, or even playing local shows, I'll be sure to let you all know.
@Walter: Holy cow! That's quite a vehicle. And thanks for reminding me about the smoke in your hair & clothes. I never liked that part of the deal.
@BBQ: I drew the line at hot water. If the place didn't have hot water in the shower, that was too low for me. I actually encountered a place like that in Rocky Mount, NC. It was run by Indians--as are many of the cheaper hotels in America these days. I believe that they were trying to get by on zero maintenance. I made my "no hot water, I'm gone" rule that night. I was always fine with Motel 6. One star places didn't bother me. But some of those off-brand places don't uphold standards. I like places where the toilets flush, for example. Otherwise I'm forced to leave a present for the chambermaid, and I really hate leaving presents, expecially when they're delivered--in the bowl, of course--with retrospective malicious intent.
And with that, gentlemen, I believe I have earned myself a new stage name: "retrospective malicious intent." Think about it. Contextualize it. As they say north of the Spanish border, Va t'emmerder!
Last Edited by on Aug 10, 2010 10:06 AM
Here is the part I think is cool from the press release:
"[...] Jason will spend his energy doing workshops and teaching harmonica. He may occasionally be a guest with another artist or perform locally with his rock duo." ...
I'm waiting for THAT schedule to be posted.
---------- The more I learn about harmonica, the more I learn how much more there is to learn.
What I find interesting and hopeful is the fact that Mr. JR might possibly be at the same venue as our harp club meeting tomorrow night, since John Lisi and his band host the jam immediately afterwards in the same place...Now THAT would be cool. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Oh well. At least tomorrow John will be able to tell us whether or not he's gonna back up Jason. That would add some totally different textures to Jason's music if they were to actually be his backing band. John Lisi is a badass on guitar-slide, dobro, etc., and a prince of a guy as well. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Aug 10, 2010 2:01 PM
Adam: I spent this afternoon driving that bus for 100 miles. the people we sold it to were passing through town and we went to lunch. It was great getting behind the wheel again.
I remember one gig we did in southern belguim at a jazz club that had us sleeping in a room with no heat, a foot of frozen water in the tub, and hole in the skylight with snow coming in. Another in California was at a resort in Calistoga (famous mineral baths). This place had 3 olympic size pools of varying degrees of temperature. We were hired to play every friday, saturday, sunday, for the summer. We were housed in a shack that had only 3 walls, not toilet or running water. the fourth wall was missing and bugs were all over us. We only lasted one night due to my drummer getting so drunk and rude, the owner fired us. Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
Well...John Lisi didn't run the jam last night, as he had a gig in Mobile, so the suspense continues.
New Orleans legend J.D. Hill showed up for our club meeting out of the blue, and thrilled us with an impromptu version of Cabbage Alley(old Meters tune), singing it and mimicking the piano on harp. A nice guy who's been thru hell and back. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
@ Todd - My son is in Nola for a few months. Are you playing out somewhere he can check you out and say hi? - Also would love a list of your fave live music spots. He's been going to Snug Harbor regularly and I made him go to Rock and Bowl once. He hasn't even made it to Tipitina's yet - but I'm pushin. ----------
Last Edited by on Aug 12, 2010 10:49 AM
bonedog-drop me line(click my profile)and I'll give you some info. I will be playing in a harmonica showcase next month, plus another gig or two here and there, our club meetings, etc. ----------
Crescent City Harmonica Club Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Had finally planned to see Jason for the 1st time live when he played in St. Paul on September 4th at new Blues Saloon close to my home. Now it looks like that plan can be tossed out.
@Buddha You really playing at the Blues Saloon next week? Pretty close to our old school...still not a good part of town. Surprise backup band in store?
I just took a look on Jason's new website, and found funny mistakes in the biographical note on John Lisi :
"John is featured in the documentary about the late GG Allen called "HATED" and when Dave Mustang left the heavy rock band Matallica John spent a brief moment in Mustang's conception of "MEGADETH". "
"GG Allen" was actually GG Allin, ok not everybody is supposed to know the guy, but "Dave Mustang" (instead of Dave Mustaine) and "Matallica" make me think the guy who wrote that spent the last 30 years on another planet... ---------- http://www.buddybrent.be
