Ryan Hartt: Vocals and Harmonica, Eric Ducoff: Guitar and Vocals, Nick Toscano: Drums, Jeff "J.B." Berg: Bass and Vocals
Influences
Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Rod Piazza, William Clarke, Hollywood Fats Band, Lynwood Slim, Tiny Grimes, T-Bone Walker, Robert Nighthawk, Fabulous Thunderbirds
Dubbed "Young East Coast masters of the jumpin' West Coast sound" by Blues Revue magazine, Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts have been at the forefront of the New England blues scene for the last five years. Formed in 2000 by lifelong friends Ryan Hartt (vocals/harmonica) and Eric Ducoff (guitar), the band has consistently strived to keep the classic sounds of 40s, 50s and early 60s blues stylings alive and well.
Playing the same mixture of Chicago,Texas and Jump blues that filled post-war California,
singer/harmonica player Ryan Hartt, guitarist Eric Ducoff, upright bassist Jeff Berg and drummer Nick Toscano have performed at some of the best clubs and festivals in the Northeast.
In 2004, the Blue Hearts qualified as semi-finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. Their debut CD, "Empty Wallet", produced by Rick Holmstrom, has won praise from fans, critics, DJs and musicians throughout the world. Their latest release, "Yeah Man!", featuring special guest Junior Watson, adds swamp blues, organ trio jazz, West Side blues, 40's R&B and just a dash of roots rock to the 50s styled Chicago and Jump blues they have become known for.
Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts were voted "Best Blues Band of 2005" by the readers of the Hartford Advocate's Grand Band Slam poll!
Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts's Friend Space (Top 23)
You need to check out the new Victoria "Blowbox" Harp amp! I was instrumental in designing and getting into their line of top shelf amps. Go to youtube and search me "James Reeser" and there are a couple of recent vids featuring it.
It is a 45 watt 2X8 amp. It looks like a tweed head but yes it has 2 8" speakers in it. No one can believe such a fat rich tone comes from a little amp. It is versatile... light weight... It can be plugged into any speaker cab as it has 2, 4 and 8 ohm output taps. It also has a switch that makes it either a stock 59 Bassman if that is your tone (also for guitar if desired) or flip the switch for the harp special circuits and rich fat harp tone! And yes has plenty of power as a stand alone to keep up with just about any band.
Congrats on the trip to Memphis you guys!! We're hoping to join you, but we won't know until the end of October!! Best of Luck!! All the best, BLUE RAIN
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