WHO ARE THESE BLUE HEARTS? Dubbed “young East Coast masters of the jumpin’ West Coast sound” by Blues Revue magazine, Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts are a mainstay of the New England blues scene. The band was formed in 2000 when lifelong friends Ryan Hartt (vocals/harmonica) and Eric Ducoff (guitar) melded their passions for the classic sounds of 40s, 50s and early 60s blues stylings. The rhythm section of Nick Toscano (drums) and Jeff Berg (bass) rounds out the quartet.  The band received international acclaim with their 2003 Far-Tone Records debut, “Empty Wallet.” A raw and stripped-down collection of 15 original tracks, “Empty Wallet” was produced by blues guitar great Rick Holmstrom, and featured guest appearances by Troy Gonyea (ex-Fabulous Thunderbirds/The Howl), Mark Stevens (ex-Roomful of Blues), Steve Mugalian (ex-Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers), Nick Adams (Racky Thomas Band) and Holmstrom himself. The CD received extensive radio airplay and favorable reviews across the United States and Europe, and was distributed internationally by Hep Cat Records.  In 2005, they released their second Far-Tone Records CD, “Yeah Man!.” In addition to the 50s-styled Chicago and jump blues they have become known for, the Blue Hearts also dip into swamp blues, organ trio jazz, West Side blues, 40s R&B and just a dash of roots rock on this disc. Featuring 13 original songs and 3 obscure covers, “Yeah Man!” reflects the band’s deep respect for tradition with a fresh approach. West Coast guitar legend Junior Watson appears on four tracks. This release was a top eight finalist in the International Blues Foundation’s 2006 “Best Self-produced CD” contest. In 2004, 2007 and 2010, the Blue Hearts qualified as semi-finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
highlights and venues... Top 8 Finalists: 2006 Int’l Blues Foundation’s
“Best Self-Produced CD” Contest International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalists: ’04, ’07, ’10 Winners of CT Blues Society Challenge 2003, 2006, 2009 Voted “Best Blues Band” 2005, 2007 & 2007 by readers of Hartford Advocate “Grand Band Slam” Boston Blues Society Challenge 2003 & 2004 Finalists Blues, Brews & BBQs Festival 2003
Six Flags - Springfield, MA Red Bank Jazz & Blues Fest - 2003 & 2005 Red Bank, NJ Black-Eyed & Blues Festival 2004 & 2007- Hartford, CT Brews N’ Blues Festival 2005 - Westford, MA Harpin’ Help Festival 2003 & 2005 - Belmar, NJ Blues 2000 & Beyond Festival 2001 & 2005 - Ellenville, NY Block Island Music Festival - Block Island, RI Berlin Blues Festival - 2004 & 2007 - Berlin, CT Long Branch Jazz/Blues Festival - 2007 - Long Branch, NJ Blues Revue Magazine Review- Aug/Sept 2003 Album review in Blues Revue Magazine - Dec/Jan 2006 Cover Story - American Harmonica Magazine - 4/03 B.B. King’s Blues Club - New York, NY B.B. King’s Blues Club - Mashantucket, CT Blues City Cafe - Beale Street - Memphis, TN Toad’s Place - New Haven, CT Black-Eyed Sally’s- Hartford, CT Harry’s - Hyannis, MA Foxwoods Resort & Casino - Mashantucket, CT Bally’s - Las Vegas, NV
 
“Check the small print on your rear view mirror...the print that reads: “Rising young blues stars may be approaching faster than they appear.” - Chuck Nevitt, Dallas Blues Society Records
RYAN HARTT
NICK TOSCANO
JEFF “JB” BERG
ERIC DUCOFF
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