Based in California, Richie Blue is a professional musician who brings an industrious sound and style to his specialty -- the harmonica. Due to his dedication and years of devotion to this instrument, Richie Blue holds a respected place in the music industry and is in high demand for studio work as well as live performances. Richie Blue has performed and recorded with countless musicians up and down the entire west coast and his reputation has even started to reach over seas. His dynamic and versatile approach seamlessly intertwines with a wide variety of music genres. But there is no mistaking who is playing that harmonica no matter what the genre or song. Richie Blue has a signature sound that is truly unique to him.
His performances and recordings include rock, jazz and folk artists between San Diego and San Francisco. In addition, Blue has collaborated with pop, punk, rockabilly and country artists. Richie Blues' style is often times a boiling cauldron of diverse emotions. Other times he's just down right frenetic! His performances can be quite animated. A true showman. Blue has been playing the harmonica for twenty years. He credits James Cotton for igniting his passion for harmonica. This blues legend along with Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter performed together in the 60's.
During live performance and in the studio, Richie Blue does not use typical equipment. He runs his harps through self-designed custom microphones. The amplifiers he uses are also unique and receive the same customized treatment. In addition, some of the harmonicas he uses are custom designed and built. Presently, he is in the process of developing a new line of hybrid harmonicas. His vision is to make them readily available to the public. Since 1996, Richie Blue has been officially endorsed by Hohner Harmonica Company, which is the largest and oldest harmonica manufacturer in the world. Currently Blue performs every with the West Coast Boogiemen (electric swing, rockabilly, jump blues band), Cotton Fever (cowboy story band), Dukes of Haggard (cow punk band), Carlos Olmeda (diverse singer songwriter) and Gato Papacitos (Spanish flamenco ensemble).
Richie Blue was voted Best Instrumentalist in San Diego for 2006 by the San Diego Golden HAT Association.. Richie Blue is on call with a slew of artists between San Diego and San Francisco. Check this web-site for dates and venues or go to http://www.richieblue.com