& THE HUSTLE

all-original debut Pour Me Some Whiskey and 2015’s Live at the Purple Fox Loft, recorded at Purple Cow Vineyards and Fox Farm in Newberg, OR.

The winner of Blues Blast magazine’s 2019 Sean Costello Rising Star Award, Rice’s recent albums continue to exhibit his explorative nature. 2018’s Wish the World Away was nominated for three 2019 Blues Music Awards, including Acoustic Album of the Year. 2020’s Out Of The Box is a collaboration with RB Stone where all of the songs were made with cigar box guitars. His latest, 2021’s Shake a Hand captures a late-night New Orleans jam session featuring vocalist

Saeeda Wright, drummer

Eddie Christmas, bassist

Kennan Shaw, percussionist

Jimi Bott, harmonica player

Mitch Kashmar, and keyboardist

Ben Partain.

With music deeply rooted in traditional blues while still being fiercely original, guitar playing that earns labels like “fearless,” “inventive” and “powerful,” and his direct and surprising vocal delivery, Rice is equally at home fronting his electric band as he is captivating a crowd solo with his acoustic resonator guitar. The trio opened for ZZ Top on their most recent Pacific Northwest tour, and Rice has been on the Florida touring A-List since bringing his band to play the Bonita Blues Festival in 2015. His subsequent two performances at this beloved festival make him one of the few that had return shows, and most likely the only band to perform three times.

The Hustle is an expansion of the trio that Rice has been playing with for the last decade. Adding instruments and singers offers a broader sonic palette, and he has tapped Portland arranger Dave Mills to help orchestrate his originals. The collaboration has yielded a powerful and compelling sound. Rice is also active in the blues community, at the International Blues Challenge and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise as venue coordinator, showcase host/facilitator/participant and on stage guesting with music luminaries from around the world. More at BenRiceAndTheHustle.com

WITH ANNI PIPER

MARCH 16 & 23

CRAZY

UNCLE MIKE’S BOCA RATON

MARCH 17

BLUES & BREWS BISTRO

ORMOND BEACH

MARCH 18

WALDO’S VERO BEACH

MARCH 19

BLUES BASH AT THE RANCH

BROOKSVILLE

MARCH 21

TROLL MUSIC VENICE

MARCH 22

BLUE JEAN BLUES

FT LAUDERDALE

MARCH 24 & 26

CRAWDADDY’S JENSEN BEACH

MARCH 25

KILTED

MERMAID VERO BEACH