From:
Blues & Beyond with Jim Carty
Blues radio host at WMFO in metro Boston Saturdays 1-3PM 91.5FM
I feature jazz to jam with a focus on the blues. Jim and Friends
Holly Harris WBOS 92.9 fm, Boston
Host/Producer
Blues On Sunday (7-11pm)
Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter
* May 20, 1940 - December 10, 2007. Sad News came today from Carey Wolfson ( http://www.bluesaccess.com/ba_home.html ) that bluesman Jerry Ricks passed away.
Jerry left us at 10:05am in his hospital room in Rijeka, Croatia. Jerry and his wife Nancy had been living in Croatia since early this year. He was diagnosed in September with a brain tumor. Jerry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,and began playing guitar in Philadelphia venues in the late 1950's. Discography
Jerry (bio) had lessons from the legendary Lonnie Johnson ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonnie_Johnson ) andembraced all styles of traditional country blues. This beloved bluesman traveled extensively, played blues festivals all around the world, and recorded a number of beautifully constructed albums. Jerry was very involved in research and education as another way of advancing the word of the blues. In 1970, Jerry moved to Western Europe where he found great acceptance and performed regularly. He would come back to the States on a frequent basis to perform at numerous festivals and concert appearances. For a complete bio on this great bluesman's life, please check out Jerry's website. We are grateful to this noble man for his accomplished work in the blues and we pray that his legacy will live on.
Jerry has learned from and performed with possibly every
Country Blues great. The blues legends "Philadelphia"
Jerry Ricks has accompanied and learned from include Brownie McGhee, Guitar Wilson, Skip James, Rev. Gary Davis, Buddy Moss,
Champion Jack Dupree, Sonny Terry, Memphis Slim, Mickey Baker, Blind John Davis,
Willie Mabon, Washboard Slim, Furry Lewis, Big Joe Williams, Son House, Lonnie
Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Elizabeth Cotton, Rev.
Robert Wilkins, Mississippi John Hurt, Mance Lipscomb, Jesse Fuller, Sleepy John
Estes, Sammy Price, Robert Pete Williams.
Jerry also traveled with the Buddy Guy Blues Band to East Africa under the
direction of the U.S. State Department in April 1969.
In addition to performing, Ricks acted as assistant researcher for Ralph
Rinzler and Mack McCormick on a field research project to the state of Arkansas
for the Smithsonian Institute’s Folklife Division. Also, learned from and
performed with Doc Watson in the early 1960s.
Jerry held the position of Special Instructor for the University of Colorado,
Folklore Division to teach Traditional American Guitar Styles of the Southern
United States.
CONTACT INFORMATION: N. Klein or J. Ricks, e-mail: blueshorizons@hotmail.com
or Jim O'Neal, e-mail: BluEsoterica@aol.com