SMBS presents BLUES CRUISE w/Nick Moss Band ft Jason Ricci
Schedule
Sun Apr 12 2026 at 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Tennessee Riverboat | Knoxville, TN
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The Smoky Mountain Blues Society will once again present live music with its first River Cruise of 2026. The inaugural performance will feature Nick Moss featuring Jason Ricci on the Tennessee Riverboat on Sunday, April 12th at 4 pm – 7 pm. Unfortunately due to health issues Dennis Gruenling will not be able to attend.
Nick Moss is a celebrated Chicago blues guitarist and bandleader, while Jason Ricci is an acclaimed harmonica virtuoso; together they have collaborated on albums and live performances, blending traditional blues with dynamic energy.
Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website, (tnriverboat.com) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $30 for members in advance and $35 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827. Members will be receiving discount code by email.
Boarding begins at 3:15 pm.
NICK MOSS
Nick Moss born December 15, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois is an American Chicago Blues and electric blues Musician. He has released 10 albums on his own label Blue Bella records and earned fame for his fiery guitar work, gruff vocals and original compositions.
Moss honed his craft by gigging in Chicago blues clubs under the guidance of legends like Buddy Scott, Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Rogers and legendary blues band the villageblues.com. His music combines deep roots with elements of rock ‘n’ roll and he has occasionally collaborated with other prominent Blues musicians such as Kid Anderson and Dave Hildalgo. Growing up in Chicago and standing tall at 6‘2“as a teenage Moss dreamed of playing both music and sports. His mother was a huge blues fan, even taking a young Nick to see Muddy Waters in concert. At 18, sudden emergency kidney surgery sidelined, his athletic hopes and left the youngster feeling blue. To lift his spirits, Nick‘s brother snuck him out of the hospital to see Alligator Artist Little Charlie and the Nightcats perform. Nick was blown away, and by end of the show and meeting the band, it was then and there that he decided on a career as a bluesman. After his years working with and learning from Blues royalty, Nick formed his first band in 1997 and released his debut album a year later on his own independent blue label. Since then he has earned legions of fans playing over 100 shows a year. Moss has shared stages with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gary Clark, Jr, Dave Hildalgo, and many others and is an in demand guest always welcome to sit in with musicians and friends around the world he and the band have criss-crossed the United States and Canada multiple times and have performed in the UK, Norway, Belgium, France, Spain, Latvia, Poland, and other European countries.
JASON RICCI
Jason Ricci is a renowned harmonica player known for his fiery technique and innovative approach to the Blues. He has frequently toured and recorded with many prominent artists including Nick Moss, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, JP Soars, Damon Fowler and Lurrie Bell Ocala.
Ricci has won multiple Blues music awards for best harmonica, marking him as a leading figure in contemporary Blues. He is known for blending traditional blues harmonica with elements of funk rock and other genres, making his performances, highly energetic and distinctive.
COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN NICK MOSS AND JASON RICCI
The two artists have collaborated on multiple occasions, both in the studio and on stage. Notable collaborations include:
Albums: Ricci contributed harmonica to Nick Moss‘s Band’s Double CD From the Root to the Fruit, an album that explores the history in the evolution of Blues music while showcasing dynamic performances.
Live performances: they have shared billing in numerous concerts and festivals, delivering electrifying live shows that highlight Moss’s guitar and Ricci’s harmonica skills.
Recordings: Jason Ricci recorded tracks with Nick Moss, including versions of classic blues tunes such as Bobby Rush’s “Ain’t She Fine.”
MUSICAL STYLE AND IMPACT
Together, Nick Moss and Jason Ricci bring a powerful synergy to blues music. Moss‘s soulful, greedy guitar and vocals complement Ricci‘s expressive, aggressive harmonica, resulting in performances that honor Blues traditions while infusing modern energy and creativity. Their collaborations have helped introduce traditional blues to wider audiences and maintain the genre’s vitality in contemporary music scenes.
In summary, Nick Moss and Jason Ricci are highly respected artists in the Blues community combining their talent and innovation through recordings, live performances and collaborations cementing their influence on modern blues.
NICK MOSS BAND
NICK MOSS – guitar & vocals
Jason Ricci – harmonica
Rodrigo Mantovani – bass
Pierce Downer – drums
Each voyage will also have full bar and limited food menu available onboard to buy.
This year the Tennessee Riverboat Company has some changes in ticket pricing. Every cruise ticket (no matter what type) has a “port fee” of $1.50. In addition, if you buy your ticket online, there is an online fee of $1.75. The fee of $1.75 is not charged for buying tickets over the phone with a credit card or in person (credit card or cash). As usual, sales tax is applied. Be advised that weather or boat mechanical conditions could lead the Captain of the boat to order that the boat not go out on the river, and so the show will take place at the dock.
We want you to be informed of these incidental changes.
We are looking forward to seeing you on the water enjoying our Blues Cruises.
For press inquiries, please contact Alisa B. Cherry, [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Tennessee Riverboat, 998 Volunteer Landing Ln SE, Knoxville, TN 37915-2594, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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