Ryan Hartt

Biography

Ryan Hartt, a Connecticut-based harmonica player, vocalist, and songwriter, grew up listening to his father's big band records, which sparked his early interest in music. Drawn to the blues in his teens during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he developed into a rock-solid harmonica player and soulful singer, influenced by the vibrant New England blues scene in Boston and Providence. After completing musical studies, Hartt moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s to immerse himself in West Coast blues, frequently sitting in with legends like Lynwood Slim, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom, and Rod Piazza's Mighty Flyers.[1][2][3][5]

Returning to the East Coast in 2000, Hartt formed Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hearts, a powerhouse blues band that became a staple in New England's scene for over two decades. The band released three acclaimed albums—Empty Wallet (2003), Yeah Man (2005), and Call My Name (2012)—earning regional awards, international recognition, and a finalist spot in the Blues Foundation’s 2006 International Blues Challenge for Best Self-Produced CD. Hartt's style blends Chicago-style grooves, West Coast swing, 1940s jump blues, 1950s Chicago blues, and Excello Louisiana swamp blues, marked by his fiery stage presence, sharp songwriting, and authentic energy. The band toured extensively across the U.S., sharing stages with harmonica icons like Rod Piazza, Rick Estrin, and Mark Hummel.[1][2][3][4][5]

In 2025, Hartt released his solo debut Be About It!, self-produced with longtime Blue Hearts bassist Jeffrey Berg, showcasing his evolution as a storyteller while staying rooted in traditional blues with a fresh, contemporary edge. Fronting the band for over 25 years without a steady lineup in the last decade, Hartt continues to champion raw, heartfelt American roots music through live performances and recordings.[1][3][4][5][7]

Fun Facts

• Hartt's first song ever sung was Little Walter’s 'My Babe,' inspired by harmonica players who were also vocalists.[5]
• He occasionally plays chromatic harmonica and admires Stevie Wonder and Toots Thielemans.[5]
• The band has incorporated diverse styles like soul, rock, ska, and proto-rock beyond pure blues.[5]
• Yeah Man (2005) featured Junior Watson on four tracks and reached the top eight in the Blues Foundation’s Best Self-Produced CD contest.[5]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Rod Piazza - Sitting in with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, key West Coast blues influence (Live performances in LA) [late 1990s]
• Lynwood Slim - Frequent sitting in sessions in LA blues scene (Live jams) [late 1990s]
• Junior Watson - Sitting in and later collaboration on recordings (Yeah Man album (4 tracks)) [late 1990s-2005]
• Rick Holmstrom - Sitting in sessions and album production (Produced first two Blue Hearts albums) [late 1990s-2005]

Key Collaborators

• Jeffrey Berg - Long-time Blue Hearts bass player and co-producer (Be About It! (2025)) [2000s-2025]
• Ryan Hartt & The Blue Hearts - Band leader and frontman (Empty Wallet (2003), Yeah Man (2005), Call My Name (2012)) [2000-present]
• Junior Watson - Guest musician on recordings (Yeah Man (4 tracks)) [2005]
• Rick Holmstrom - Album producer (Empty Wallet, Yeah Man) [2003-2005]

External Links

• Spotify