Blues is alive and well in the 21st century, and while there might not be any bluesmen left from the cotton fields of the Mississippi, thanks to a batch of young musicians who are dedicated to keeping the genre alive, the sound of the Delta can still be heard like a distant train whistle on a dark night. Jason Ricci is one such artist who plays with respect for those who rose out of the oppressive South and changed music forever, but his surprisingly fresh take on the blues opens a new chapter for the time-honored music. Jason Ricci and New Blood will bleed onstage at Jazzbones Thursday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.

I caught up with Ricci before Thursday's show.  Check out my interview here. â€" Tony Engelhart