[Harp-L] Jason Ricciâs Harmonica Blowoff at SPAH 2008 - update

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Once a year, one day before SPAH officially begins, ÂJason Ricci takes a night off from his
grueling touring schedule and books a nightclub to showcase other harmonica
talent (he may get up and blow a few licks, but mostly heâs putting this show
together and basking in all the other harmonica talent).

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This year, the Blowoff will be on Tuesday, August 12 at BBâs
Jazz, Blues, and Soups in St. Louis
 Missouri. Even though itâs not
officially part of SPAH, the Blowoff is one of the really great reasons to come
to SPAH. It features a steady stream of top-level harmonica talent in a friendly,
non-competitive environment, backed by Jasonâs razor-sharp blues-rock band: Shawn
Starski on guitar, Todd âBuckweedâ Edmunds
on bass (and maybe tuba . . .) and new
band member Ed Michael on drums.

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Talent this year includes:

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-- Peter Madcat Ruth, who has been both a
student of Chicago blues great Walter Horton and a member of the Dave Brubeck jazz
ensemble, whose eclectic approach to music is partially indicated by one of his
tune titles, âSonny Terry meets Jimi Hendrixâ

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-- RJ Mischo and his big, toasty tone toasty tones applied
to a solid repertoire of mainstream blues

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-- LD Miller, teen harmonica sensation and Americaâs Got
Talent winner 

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-- Michael Peloquin , the west coastâs own triple
threat on vocals, harmonica and saxophone

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-- Chris Michalek (aka groovy gypsy aka Buddha), unconventional
thinker and frequent flyer in cosmic airspace never before explored

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-Â Special
guests Âand potential surprises (and maybe
that strange Canadian with quirky songs about his misspent youth in the backwoods
of Alberta).

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (not later as you may have read)

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WHERE:

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BBâs Jazz, Blues, and Soups

700 South Broadway

St. Louis, Missouri 63102

(314) 436-5222

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DINING BEFOREHAND

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Why not arrive early and have dinner, either at BBâs or in
the neighborhood, within view of the Gateway Arch? That way you donât have to
miss any of the music. You can check out BBâs menu at http://www.bbsjazzbluessoups.com/new_menu.htm
or you can dine nearby. While street photos of the area on Google Maps donât
make it look like thereâs much else, a quick search on ârestaurantâ near BBâs
address reveal several additional possibilities.

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GETTING THERE:

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BBâs is about 22 miles from the SPAH hotel (the Sheraton
Westport Chalet), so youâll need to drive or catch a ride. For driving
directions, your starting point is 191 Westport Plaza, St Louis, MO 63146, and
your destination is 700 South Broadway , St. Louis, Missouri 63102.

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See you there.

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Winslow