PRESS
Reviews of New CD "Here I Come"
Heard Around the Industry
“All the way from Costa Rica, Jose plays straight-ahead blues infused with love and heartbreak. Be warned, this cat is like Gasoline & Matches. Explosive!”
– Jack Sullivan, Blues Music Magazine
“What a great record. Good songs, tight, well played arrangements and very tasty guitar. Look out because here he comes!”
– Bill Wax, B.B. King’s Bluesville former production director
“Jose Ramirez is the second place winner at the 2020 International Blues Challenge. He delivers smoking blues from Costa Rica, Texas style, in “Here I Come.” Crafted with some real legends including producer Anson Funderburgh and keyboard wizard Jim Pugh. This is compelling music.”
– Jesse Finkelstein, Blues Radio International
“Here I Come” is one of the most impressive debut albums I’ve heard in a long while. You can hear B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Buddy Guy, Magic Sam and Albert King in Jose’s playing. All fermented into some striking originals recorded with an all-star band produced by Anson Funderburgh.”
– John Mitchell, Blues Blast Magazine, Blues in Britain, Blues Matters and The Crossroads Blues Society
“Stinging, stylish single-note guitar runs. Bobby ’Blue’ Bland soul-blues sensibilities and a winner on both counts!”
– Marty Gunther, Blues Blast Magazine
“Really nice and diverse collection of blues and soul-tinged tunes here. Tasty guitar playing and soulful vocals. Jose’s got it going on with “Here I Come.”
– Chris Vachon, Roomful Of Blues
“Jose is committed to the blues. He knows his direction and he exudes confidence. His original songs are honest and sincere. I’m extremely proud of this record.”
– Anson Funderburgh, Producer, “Here I Come”
“This album is fantastic. Great production via Anson Funderburgh and great songs from Jose. You have a great collection of blues and soul-blues. It’s contemporary but yet rooted in the great tradition of some of my favorite records”
– Kirk Fletcher, blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter
International Blues Challenge 2020
SECOND PLACE BAND WINNERS
The Jose Ramirez Band was recently selected to represent the capital of the United States (Washington D.C.) at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, at the end of January 2020. Over 230 bands began the competition, 44 bands made it to the semi-finals, 8 bands in the finals. Proud to announce that we are the second place winners! The Jose Ramirez Band performed at the exclusive Orpheum Theater in downtown Memphis.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for those blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each affiliated Blues Society of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and solo/duo musician(s) to represent its organization at the IBC. The IBC is judged by blues professionals from across the world who have years of experience in listening to, producing and creating blues music.
January 28 to February 1, 2020 – International Blues Challenge (IBC) Memphis, TN | Website
2019 U.S. Summer Tour
The band recently finished their U.S. Summer Tour which included 20 plus shows all over the Midwest, Northeast and South.
Some of the highlights of the tour include Buddy Guy jumping up on stage with the band at their own show at Legends in Chicago; playing for a packed house at the House of Blues in Chicago; a soulful and memorable show at the Bradfordville Blues Club in Tallahassee, FL; a couple of double bill shows with Nikki Hill and Albert Castiglia.
Highlights from USA Summer Tour of 2019
7/29 Washington DC – Westminster Church
8/8 Falls Church VA – JV’s
8/13 Cleveland OH – Wilbert’s Food & Music
8/14 Columbus OH – Natalie’s
8/15 Chicago IL – Buddy Guy’s Legends
8/16 St. Charles IL – The House Pub
8/17 Madison WI – Knuckle Down Saloon
8/18 Chicago IL – The House of Blues
8/20 Lincoln NE – The Zoo Bar
8/22 Fremont NE – The Corner Bar
8/24 St. Louis MO – BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soup
8/26 Boca Raton FL – The Funky Biscuit
8/27 Jupiter FL – Double Roads Tavern
8/29 Fort Myers FL – The Barrelroom
8/30 Sarasota FL – The Blue Rooster
8/31 Tallahassee FL – Bradfordville Blues Club
9/5 Durham NC – The Blue Note Grill
9/7 Lothian MD – Blues & Brews BBQ Festival
9/9 Rockland ME – Time Out Pub
"Jose has the Blues in his heart" ~ Joe Louis Walker
About Jose Ramirez
At 32 years old, Jose Ramirez is Costa Rica’s premier blues artist and has played with some of the biggest names in the blues industry. These artists include Buddy Guy, Anson Funderburgh, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel and Bryan Lee, to name a few.
The Jose Ramirez Band recently won second place at The Blues Foundation 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The band performed in the finals at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis after advancing to the quarter and semi-finals against over 230 bands from around the world.
In the past couple of years, Jose has traveled the world playing the blues. His two European tours included more than 45 concerts in England, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. His U.S.A. tour included shows around the Midwest and the South. Highlights included shows at legendary clubs such as Buddy Guy’s Legends and The House of Blues in Chicago.
The band is getting ready for some more touring in the U.S. and Europe this year. Jose’s debut album “Here I Come“ releases in Spring and will be the highlight of the tour.
The new album was recently recorded in Austin, TX under the production of blues guitar legend Anson Funderburgh and mixed by Grammy Award Winner Stuart Sullivan (Jimmie Vaughan, Willie Nelson, Sublime)
Album musicians:
Jim Pugh on the Keyboards (Robert Cray, Etta James, BB King)
Wes Starr on Drums (Mark Hummel, Sam Myers, Delbert McClinton)
Nate Rowe on Bass (Redd Volkaert, Emily Gimble)
The Texas Horns on the Brass Section: Kaz Kazanoff, Al Gomez, John Mills
This new album will include mostly original material written by Jose Ramirez
Press
“An incendiary guitarist, even hotter than his homeland”
– Stephen Foster, BBC UK
“One of Costa Rica’s greatest exports”
– Monte Adkison, Blue Monday Magazine
“Costa Rica’s Robert Cray”
– Nanette Wiser, Suncoast Blues Society Publisher
“Deep Blues…Powerful and passionate.”
– Bob Margolin, blues musician
“If you like your Blues rocked hard, Jose is your man”
– Mark Hummel, blues musician
“Listening to Jose Ramirez, it’s easy to tell that his heart is way into the Blues”
– Charlie Musselwhite, blues musician
“A Soulful guitar player bent on keeping the Blues alive and spreading his message around the world”
– Little Charlie Baty, blues musician
BBC Suffolk Interview
BBC Suffolk Interview
UK Radio Interview
European Tour 2019
