Ric Jaz
Hall
Ric Jaz Hall is a veteran Chicago guitarist whose career reaches far beyond one stage or one genre. Formally trained at the Chicago Conservatory, shaped by the city’s working music scene, and personally recruited into Buddy Guy’s touring band, Ric brings decades of blues, soul, R&B, jazz, theater, studio, and international touring experience to premium live entertainment settings.
Ric is not positioned as a local act. He is a touring-caliber musician whose background includes formal jazz study, early blues experience with Albert King, decades of R&B touring with The Dells, theater work, studio production, and long-running international touring with Buddy Guy.
Best fit: casino lounges, theaters, festivals, private rooms, corporate events, and curated blues/soul/R&B programming.
A Chicago career built on versatility, endurance, and real work.
Ric Jaz Hall’s musical foundation began in Chicago, where he studied at the Chicago Conservatory with the intention of becoming a jazz guitarist and music teacher. That formal training gave him the harmonic vocabulary, discipline, and versatility that later allowed him to move comfortably between jazz, blues, soul, R&B, theater, and touring work.
While still developing as a professional musician, Ric earned an opportunity with blues legend Albert King, who was looking for a rhythm guitarist with strong chord knowledge. That early experience placed Ric directly inside the electric blues tradition and gave him a firsthand education in professional stage standards.
Ric later spent decades with The Dells, one of the most respected vocal groups in American soul and R&B. That period sharpened his ability to support vocalists, serve the arrangement, handle professional touring demands, and deliver consistent performances night after night.
His connection to Buddy Guy came through Buddy’s brother, Phil Guy, with whom Ric had worked for years. After seeing Ric perform multiple times in the Chicago area, Buddy personally asked him to join his band. Ric then began international touring with Buddy Guy, including major festival and theater appearances across the United States and overseas.
Formal jazz study, chord knowledge, theory, and musical discipline.
Early professional exposure to one of the architects of electric blues.
Decades of touring, vocal support, stagecraft, and soul/R&B performance.
Personally recruited by Buddy Guy and touring internationally since 2005.
More than a guitarist. A working Chicago music institution.
Ric’s career has never been limited to one lane. He has worked as a hired gun, bandleader, theater musician, producer, arranger, studio owner, jam host, and touring guitarist.
His experience includes Chicago club work, Black Ensemble Theater productions, studio production for local artists, major touring stages, and years of professional performance across blues, soul, R&B, jazz, and gospel-rooted music.
Built for serious rooms and real audiences.
Ric fits venues that need polished musicianship, recognizable touring credibility, and a live show rooted in Chicago blues, soul, and R&B.
For entertainment buyers, the value is simple: Ric brings the authenticity of a Chicago musician, the experience of a national touring player, and the reliability of someone who has spent decades making rooms work.
Shared stages. Long runs. Real credentials.
Ric’s career includes long-term touring work, national exposure, and respected stage company across blues, soul, R&B, gospel, and theater.
Touring Guitarist
Longtime touring guitarist with Buddy Guy, bringing national stage experience and veteran professionalism.
Chicago Soul Revue
A live band experience blending soul, blues, R&B, funk, jazz, and classic groove music for premium venues.
Featured Artist
Available for select features, private events, festivals, casinos, theaters, corporate events, and curated appearances.
National visibility.
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- The Late Show with David Letterman
- Jimmy Kimmel Live
- The Craig Ferguson Show
- Nissan Live
- Guitar Center — History of the Electric Guitar
Beyond the bandstand.
Ric’s work includes Black Ensemble Theater credits, independent studio production, local artist support, fundraising, volunteer efforts, and years of hosting Chicago-area jam sessions.
He brings not only stage experience, but the broader credibility of a musician who has lived inside Chicago’s music ecosystem as a player, producer, mentor, and bandleader.
Bring authentic Chicago soul and blues to your stage.
Available for select bookings, festivals, casinos, theaters, private events, corporate entertainment, featured appearances, and Chicago Soul Revue performances.
