Riccardo Grosso

“A hard swinging band. Riccardo’s harmonica varies from soulful soft tones to pile driving fever pitch, and comes straight from the heart.”
DALE SPALDING (CANNED HEAT)

“That’s Tremendous! I hope to be in the same show so I can listen to you live!”
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE

“Soul and originality paying respect to the mentors – never copying – building and expanding on Masters who came before”
ROB PAPAROZZI (ORIGINAL BLUES BROTHERS BAND)

Riccardo Grosso stands as the masterful helmsman of his blues band, distinguished for a style that emerges as a rare phenomenon in the continental blues landscape. In contrast to the common trend of imitating the styles of pre-existing artists within the blues realm, Grosso positions himself as an innovator, adept at building upon the legacy left by blues masters without compromising its integrity. This unique approach places both him and his band within an exclusive circle of prominent musicians.

The influential remarks of Junior Wells, recalling Tampa Red’s advice to avoid being a mere photocopy of other artists, and Paul Butterfield, who emphasizes the unnecessary nature of strict imitation to convey the blues, serve as guiding beacons on Grosso’s path. These pillars, along with Charlie Musselwhite, a pioneer in the art of challenging conventions in the blues context, constitute the heroic figures inspiring Grosso’s distinctive vision.

Persisting along this path of authenticity, the Riccardo Grosso Blues Band manifests itself as an unwavering and uncompromising musical force. The quartet, steadfast in maintaining its identity, has been successfully playing all throughout Europe, performing at festivals and selected clubs in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, with sporadic appearances in Italy.

The solid and cohesive core of the band, coupled with the synergy between Grosso and Flavio Paludetti on guitar, has drawn comparisons to the powerful energy of the Ford Blues Band and the sophisticated attitude of the Butterfield Blues Band. Every venue hosting the band’s music has been infused with tangible enthusiasm, earning unanimous approval from organizers and audiences alike. Praises from both European and American specialized press, coupled with accolades from legendary figures such as Canned Heat, Charlie Musselwhite, and Rob Paparozzi of the Original Blues Brothers Band (who wanted Grosso on stage in their New Year’s Eve 2019 concert), attest to the band’s prestige and impact.

The Riccardo Grosso Blues Band not only garners acclaim but also serves as a beacon for a new generation of blues enthusiasts. Their ability to attract a young audience to the genre ensures a vibrant and invaluable future for the blues, cementing their role as custodians of a tradition in constant evolution without compromising its authentic essence.

www.rgband.com