JJ Appleton and Jason Ricci at Cottonmouth

Having traveled over many musical territories as a songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer, JJ Appleton has always used one compass - the blues. After seeing a double bill with Sonny Terry& Brownie McGhee and John Hammond, Jr. at age 10, he was hooked.

While many in the Blues world are aware of JJ Appleton’s prowess as a songwriter and collaborator with Jason Ricci, it’s important to note his other roles as a sought after live performer, sideman and session musician. Some of JJ’s career highlights include live appearances with David Bowie’s Lazarus, Taj Mahal, Joe Walsh, Keb Mo, Don Henley, Jimmy Fallon, Jewel, Michael C Hall, Gail Ann Dorsey, Donny McCaslin, Hootie and The Blowfish, and Suzanne Vega, in addition to television appearances on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, & The Carson Daly Show.

Jason Ricci is one of the best and most imitated blues harmonica players of the 21st century. He picked up the instrument as a teenager when he started playing in a punk rock band. His journey started in earnest when he watched and later was mentored by legendary harmonica player Pat Ramsey in Memphis.

As Ricci gigged and grew as a player he found work and support from the southern blues community. He lived and played with Junior and David Kimbrough in Mississippi and then worked as a sideman with Big Al and The Heavyweights for more than a year. In the late 90s, he formed Jason Ricci and New Blood, a band that toured around the world for more than a decade and released critically praised albums like Done With The Devil and Rocket Number 9. Ricci’s latest chapter is the New Orleans band Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind, a band influenced by the sounds of New Orleans and artists like The Meters and Doctor John. What defines Jason Ricci as an artist is the fearlessness with which he approaches his instrument and music and transmutes the hardships we all face into unforgettable music.

Cover - Donation based $20

About the venue:

Cottonmouth - Bradenton Florida’s music venue serving southern soul cuisine and live music on our beautiful patio in the Village of the Arts. Dave Shiplett and crew will to serve you and give you an evening you will long remember with seating inside and outside and art from local artists on display. Cottonmouth is the place to hang and feed your soul.