Ryan Hartt Releases New Solo Album Be About It! A Soulful Celebration of West Coast and Chicago Blues

Ryan Hartt Releases New Solo Album Be About It! 
​ A Soulful Celebration of West Coast and Chicago Blues

​Growing up on his father’s Big Band records, Ryan Hartt discovered a deep connection to the blues early on  a passion that shaped him into both a rock-solid harmonica player and a soulful, expressive vocalist. Drawn to the swing and sophistication of West Coast Blues, Hartt moved to Los Angeles in the late ’90s, immersing himself in the scene and honing his craft alongside legends such as Lynwood Slim, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom, and Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers.

Returning to the East Coast in 2000, Hartt formed his acclaimed group Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts, quickly earning a reputation for high-energy performances and musical precision. The band became a fixture on the blues circuit, performing at major clubs and festivals, collecting numerous regional awards, and reaching the finals in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge “Best Self-Produced CD” competition (2006).

Now, with three releases under his belt on his Far-Tone label, Hartt steps out as a solo artist with Be About It!, his most personal and wide-ranging project to date. The album brings together an all-star lineup of players, including Nick Toscano (drums), Jeffrey Berg and Mike Law (bass), Nick Adams, Jad Tariq, and Tom Ferraro (guitars), and Brooks Milgate (piano).

A tour de force of Hartt’s musicianship, Be About It! showcases his talent as a songwriter, singer, and harmonica master. Hartt penned five of the album’s eleven tracks  “Breaking Even,” “Queen of Everything,” “Old Habits Die Hard,” “That’s Right, You’re Wrong,” and “Lonely Hour”  blending sharp hooks and clever lyrics with the grit and swing of West Coast and Chicago Blues. The record also features standout interpretations of Joe Houston’s “All Night Long,” Dave Bartholomew’s “Nothing Sweet As You,” Mel London’s “I Wonder Why,” and two unexpected gems a sultry take on the classic “Hawaiian War Chant” and a heartfelt rendition of “You Belong To Me.”

Hartt’s harmonica playing shines throughout, delivering a rich, sax-like tone on both chromatic and diatonic harps. His phrasing and effortless bends evoke the spirit of masters like Rod Piazza, George Smith, Kim Wilson, and William Clarke, while maintaining a sound distinctly his own.
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With Be About It!, Ryan Hartt reaffirms his place among today’s most dynamic blues artists — honoring tradition while carving out a soulful, modern voice in the genre.
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Tracks:
01. Breakin’ Even
02. Queen of Everything
03. Old Habits Die Hard
04. All Night Long
05. Nothing Sweet As You
06. I Wonder Why
07. Hawaiian War Chant
08. That’s Right, You’re Wrong
09. Lonely Hour
10. I Can’t Stop Loving You
11. You Belong To Me

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