Ursula Ricks Project

Ursula Ricks began to sing the blues when she was five years old. The sound of her mother singing the blues in the front room, as Ursula fell asleep, grabbed at her soul. That little girl wanted to sound like her momma sounded. Years later, in her early 40’s, Ursula is doing just that and more.

Ursula Ricks is a singer/songwriter and entertainer whose music grabs at the soul of her audience and wrings ‘em dry. Her sound is lusty and compelling, driven by an innate rhythm that first called her to the blues. Compared to such greats as Etta James, Cocoa Taylor, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, Ursula Ricks has a sound that not only speaks to the soul, but speaks for the soul as well. This is immediately evident in the enthusiastic response of her audience that rises to its feet when she sings such outstanding numbers as Make Love, You Can Have My Husband, and Stormy Monday. Ursula played Artscape ’96 and the Sunday night audience of several thousand applauded thunderously, cheered and hollered; they were not content with just one curtain call, they had to have more, more of Ursula Ricks.

Ursula Ricks describes her own music as ‘blues of the 90’s’. It is blues with funk, blues with passion, blues that gives voice to the suffering of her fellow citizens of the modern day dilemma. This is reflected in the songs she has composed and written. ‘My Street’ deals with the complex problem of inner city life and drugs. ‘That’s Life’ was written for a friend who died on her 21st birthday, she walked drunk in the path of a truck after having been sober. Ursula’s acoustic songs also move ones soul to tears.

Ursula Ricks Project is a group of players carefully selected by Ursula. Comprised of electric bass, lead guitar, drums and sometimes keyboard and harmonica. They are a power driven force that can stand on it’s own and does when Ursula yields the floor to solos that engender hoots and celebratory applause. Ursula Ricks Project is smoky, sizzlin’ and tight.

The sound of Ursula Ricks first presented itself at the 8x10 in 1990 with her then band ‘ArJuHi’ for an open jam. Ursula has a huge performance history in Baltimore and the surrounding area’s in and outside of Maryland. Ursula has played Artscape, Baltimore Blues Festivals, Café Tattoo, Café Hon, Cat’s Eye Pub, Full Moon Saloon, Belvedere Hotel, Laurrapin Grill Havre de Grace, Waterfront Fells Point, and Old Bowie Towne Grill to name a few. Ursula Ricks Project also is available for private functions. The repertoire includes outstanding classics such as Down Home Blues, The Thrill is Gone, You Shook Me, Nighttime is the Right Time, Little Queenie, and Somthin’ on Your Mind.

Ursula Ricks Project is a dynamic blues band that leaves a powerful and distinctive impact. They are all over Maryland, and they’re the talk of town.