HARPS ON FIRE
Harmonica Battle
@ 100 Men Hall
Bay Saint Louis, MS – The 100 Men Hall presents Harps on Fire, a HARMONICA
battle starring BLUES MASTERS, Johnny Sansone Band (featuring John Fohl)
and Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind on Friday, May 10, 2024 @ 7PM. This is an
Alligator Mike Production. Food for purchase by Beachside and cash/credit bar.
Johnny Sansone, also known as Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, is an American electric
blues singer, songwriter, harmonicist, accordinist, guitarist and piano player. He
was nominated for seven music awards including a Blues Music Award which he
won. To date, he has been involved in the release the twelve original albums.
The steamroller Johnny Sansone has overwhelmed audiences around the planet
with his powerful vocals, sizzling Blues harp, and mastery of his Cajun accordion.
A crowd favorite at every venue, Johnny turns out seamless energetic passion
with his spellbinding gumbo of swampy blended Blues and R&B. His bare-
knuckle approach is reminiscent of an elder southern prophet that has lived on
the hard road that draws his sermon from a deep dark backwoods well. His
performances are pure, unpretentious and come with a full-grown swagger.
Johnny Sansone is the personification of the finest that the New Orleans’ music
scene has to offer.
Jason Ricci is an award winning and decorated American singer and harmonica
player. In his youth, Jason’s mother brought him to many live Blues shows in his
early teens to witness performances of James Cotton, Charlie Musslewhite,
Eddie Clearwater, Rod Piazza, Buckwheat Zydeco, Marcia Ball and many more.
After studying at the feet of local New England harmonica players and blues
musicians Jason moved west to Idaho to attend College. In Boise he found
mentorship under Blues Club owner and Hammond B3 player Ken Harris.
Ricci has appeared as a guest harmonica player on albums with Johnny Winter,
Ana Popovic, Joe Louis Walker, Cedric Burnside, Walter Trout, Mike Zito, JP
Soars, Nick Moss, Peter Karp, Nick Curran, The Mannish Boys, Too Slim and The
Tail Draggers, Walter Trout and many many more. Ricci has toured or
professionally played shows with John Fohl, The Iguanas, Damon Fowler, Pappa
Mali, Walter Trout, Nick Moss, JP Soars, Mike Zito, Eric Johanson, Big Chief
Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne, Joe Krown and more.
Food for purchase by Beachside’s Chef Joe Castoro. Chef Joe, a graduate of the
Florida Culinary Institute, developed a following for his famous burgers and grill
delights at Bay Marina, which his parents own. After many years as a chef in fine-
dining restaurants in south Florida, Chef Joe opened Beachside in Bay Saint
Louis and quickly developed a following in this coastal town.
The 100 Men Hall is a 100-year-old organization that preserves culture,
interprets history and gathers the community in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.
Through live music events, innovative programs, and artistic expression, the 100
Men Hall seeks to make this African American landmark accessible to visitors of
all ages. Located at 303 Union Street in Bay Saint Louis, the 100 Men Hall is a
501c3 nonprofit organization (Hundred Members Debating Benevolent
Association), supported by tax deductible donations. Additional information
about the venue’s history and other activities can be found on
the100menhall.com or by emailing 100menhall@gmail.com.