Birth name Kermit Ruffins Occupation(s) Musician Years active 1973–present Role Jazz trumpeter Children Kaylin Orleans Ruffins | Genres JazzRhythm and blues Instruments Trumpetvocals Name Kermit Ruffins Spouse Karen James (m. 2007) | |
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Born December 19, 1964 (age 59) ( 1964-12-19 ) Origin New Orleans, Louisiana US Albums The Barbecue Swingers, #imsoneworleans, We Partyin' Traditional Style!, Have a Crazy Cool Christmas!, Livin' a Treme Life Profiles | ||
Kermit ruffins drop me off in new orleans jam in the van bonnaroo365
Kermit Ruffins (born December 19, 1964) is an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He has been influenced by Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan and says that the highest note he can hit on trumpet is a high C. He often accompanies his songs with his own vocals. Most of his bands perform New Orleans jazz standards, though he also composes many of his own pieces. Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Ruffins is an unabashed entertainer who plays trumpet with a bright, silvery tone, sings with off-the-cuff charm and never gets too abstruse in his material."
Contents
- Kermit ruffins drop me off in new orleans jam in the van bonnaroo365
- Kermit ruffins happy talk
- Early life
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Barbecue Swingers
- Gallery
- Filmography
- Awards
- Songs
- References
Kermit ruffins happy talk
Early life
He started playing trumpet in 8th grade at Lawless Junior High School in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. He attended Joseph S. Clark High School in the 6th Ward. In high school, he played a little bit of classical music at the behest of a strict band teacher.
He developed an appreciation for cooking from his grandmother, observing her movements in the kitchen.
Rebirth Brass Band
Kermit Ruffins co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band in 1983 while attending Clark High School, in the Treme neighborhood. He made his first recordings with the Rebirth in 1984. The group was inspired by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a band of slightly older musicians credited with bringing influences of funk and contemporary bebop into New Orleans style brass bands. Before they achieved the popularity allowing them to play regularly in local music venues, the Rebirth often busked around the French Quarter for tips. They soon became a houseband at the Glass House, previously the Dirty Dozen's home venue. The Rebirth once had a gig in New York City at Lone Star Cafe, but were hassled by police for having no permit when they began marching outdoors as they always did in New Orleans.
Barbecue Swingers
Ruffins founded the Barbecue Swingers in 1992, a traditional jazz quintet. He is known for cooking on a barbecue at his shows. Every Thursday since the early 1990s, they have played a show at Vaughan's Bar in the Bywater neighborhood which is very popular with both locals and visitors. His 2007 Basin Street Records release, Live at Vaughan's was recorded during one of his performances there.
He has also performed at hundreds of funerals during his career in The Crescent City. In 2003 the band received a nomination at the Big Easy Entertainment Awards, which recognizes local talents. He appeared as himself in HBO's Treme as a recurring character.
Gallery
Filmography
Awards
Songs
Happy Birthday
Drop Me Off In New Orleans
Happy weekday blues
When I Die
Swing This
Leshianne
Good Morning New Orleans
Palm Court Strut
Monday Night in New Orleans
Can't Take My Baby Nowhere
Treme Second Line
Kermit's Second Line
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
Wake Up Neesie
Treme Second Line - Blow Da Whistle
Mardi gras day
Jack - I'm Mellow
Make Way for the Rebirth
Mr Big stuff
I'll Drink Ta Dat
Hide the Reefer
It's later than you think
A Saints Christmas
What Will Santa Say When He Finds Everybody Swingin'
Do the Fat Tuesday
Put Your Right Foot Forward
Just Showin' Off
Tipitina
Out Of Left Field
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Chinatown - My Chinatown
Peep This Groove Out