“Come, feel the heat ...”

Biography

While pursuing a goal, a person may find himself in a new location. After making his way to Chicago from North Carolina, Ric Harris caught moved to Los Angeles to attend the Musicians Institute. Ric returned to Chicago and appeared with his own jazz group until 1991. Ric has returned to the music scene with a new approach, inspired by artists such as Gary Moore, Dickey Betts, and Tommy Castro.  

Ric used the Chicago jam sessions to redevelop his playing and found the work of Mark May, Tab Benoit, and Matt Schofield, to be more compelling. Ric considered the blues as something defined by more than improvisation. Inspired by the works of the Allman Brothers Band, Ric used the solo as a part of the overall song, not the focus. 

As a solo artist, Ric released his first CD, Open For Business, in January of 2019. Building on that production, Ric Harris and THe Heat Merchants was started in 2021. With Cary Roberts on bass and Jim Semmelroth on drums, the band is taking Rockford by storm. Enjoy what you hear and let Ric know what you think. 

Tracks

Press Photos

Sample Video

Inquiries