Raymond Alan Norcia, known professionally as Sugar Ray Norcia, was born on June 6, 1954, in Stonington, Connecticut. He is an American blues singer and harmonica player who began playing the harmonica in high school. In the late 1970s, after moving to Providence, he formed The Bluetones, a band active in the local club scene. Norcia released several albums with The Bluetones, including Sugar Ray & the Bluetones (1980), Sugar Ray & the Bluetones Featuring Ronnie Earl (1982), and Mr. Lucky (1986). In 1991, he joined Roomful of Blues, recording three albums and touring extensively before leaving in 1998 to release Sweet & Swingin’ with The Bluetones. He also contributed to the Grammy-nominated album Superharps, collaborating with artists like James Cotton, Billy Branch, and Charlie Musselwhite. Throughout his career, Norcia has worked with numerous musicians, including Ronnie Earl, and continues to perform and record with The Bluetones.
