Kermit Ruffins

Biography

Kermit Ruffins, born December 19, 1964 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a celebrated jazz trumpeter, singer, composer, and bandleader whose career has become synonymous with the vibrant musical culture of his hometown. Raised in the city’s Ninth Ward, Ruffins began playing trumpet in the eighth grade at Lawless Junior High School and continued his musical education at Joseph S. Clark High School in the Tremé neighborhood. Deeply influenced by the sounds of Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan, Ruffins quickly developed a reputation for his bright, silvery trumpet tone and charismatic, off-the-cuff vocal style.

In 1983, while still in high school, Ruffins co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band, a group that would become pivotal in revitalizing New Orleans brass band traditions for a new generation. With Rebirth, Ruffins contributed original compositions such as 'Do Whatcha Wanna' and helped the band transition from street busking in the French Quarter to becoming a staple at local venues. After leaving Rebirth in the early 1990s, he formed the Barbeque Swingers, a traditional jazz quintet that fused his love of classic New Orleans jazz with his passion for cooking, often grilling for fans after shows. Ruffins’s discography includes acclaimed albums like 'World on a String,' '1533 St. Philip Street,' and 'Live at Vaughn’s,' and his live performances are known for their warmth, informality, and infectious joy.

Ruffins is widely credited with bringing traditional jazz out of formal settings like Preservation Hall and back into neighborhood clubs and street corners, helping to re-energize the genre and inspire younger audiences. His enduring legacy as a musician and cultural ambassador is marked by his commitment to community, his embrace of New Orleans traditions, and his role in mentoring and collaborating with both established and emerging artists.

Fun Facts

• Kermit Ruffins is known for barbecuing for his fans after shows, often grilling meat on a barbecue set up in the bed of his pickup truck.
• He shares his birthday (December 19) with New Orleans legend Professor Longhair.
• Ruffins’s Thursday night residency at Vaughn’s Lounge in New Orleans became a beloved local tradition from 1992 until 2013.
• He can hit a high C on the trumpet, a feat he is particularly proud of.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Louis Armstrong - Primary musical idol and stylistic influence; Ruffins credits Armstrong as a foundational inspiration for his trumpet playing and performance style. (General influence on trumpet technique and repertoire) [1980s–present]
• Louis Jordan - Major influence on Ruffins’s approach to jazz and entertainment, especially in blending showmanship with musicianship. (General influence on stage presence and repertoire) [1980s–present]
• Eddie Jefferson - Influence on Ruffins’s vocal style and jazz phrasing. (General influence on vocal jazz) [1980s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Rebirth Brass Band - Co-founder and original member; contributed compositions and trumpet/vocals. (Albums including 'Here to Stay' (1984); songs like 'Do Whatcha Wanna') [1983–early 1990s]
• Barbeque Swingers - Founder and bandleader; primary vehicle for Ruffins’s traditional jazz performances. (Albums such as 'World on a String' (1992), '1533 St. Philip Street' (2001)) [1992–present]
• Danny Barker - Collaborated on early solo projects; respected elder of New Orleans jazz. ('World on a String' (1992)) [1990s]
• Ellis Marsalis - Collaborated on recordings; iconic New Orleans pianist and educator. ('World on a String' (1992)) [1990s]
• Walter Payton - Collaborated on early solo albums; respected bassist. ('World on a String' (1992)) [1990s]
• Lucien Barbarin - Collaborated on recordings; trombonist. ('World on a String' (1992)) [1990s]
• Shannon Powell - Collaborated on recordings; drummer. ('World on a String' (1992)) [1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Younger New Orleans jazz musicians - Inspired a new generation to embrace traditional jazz and brass band music through his performances, recordings, and mentorship. (General influence on the New Orleans jazz scene) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
2. Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Throwback)
3. Drop Me Off In New Orleans (Live At Vaughan's)
4. Mardi Gras Day (Throwback)
5. Rebirth Medley: My Song, Pie Pt. 2, Mexican (Throwback)
6. Don't Worry Be Happy (A Beautiful World)
7. Tremé Mardi Gras (Livin' A Tremé Life)
8. Didn't He Ramble (Livin' A Tremé Life)
9. Down for My City (Poetry in Motion)
10. Beautiful World [for Imani] (A Beautiful World)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #dixieland, #jazz, #rhythm-and-blues