Kermit Ruffins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kermit Ruffins
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Ruffins at the 2007 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kermit Ruffins |
| Born | December 19, 1964 |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Jazz Rhythm and blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trumpet vocals |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | Basin Street, Putumayo, Justice |
| Associated acts | Rebirth Brass Band Danny Barker Dr. Michael White Irvin Mayfield |
Kermit Ruffins (born December 19, 1964) is a famous jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is known for his lively performances and love for New Orleans music. Kermit has been inspired by jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. He often sings along with his trumpet playing. A writer for The New York Times once said that Mr. Ruffins is a "bright, silvery" trumpet player who sings with "off-the-cuff charm."
Contents
Growing Up in New Orleans
Kermit started playing the trumpet when he was in 8th grade. This was at Lawless Junior High School in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. He also went to Joseph S. Clark High School and attended St Peter Claver Church. In high school, he even played some classical music.
He learned to love cooking from his grandmother. He would watch her in the kitchen and pick up her cooking skills.
Kermit's Music Journey
Starting the Rebirth Brass Band
Kermit Ruffins helped start the Rebirth Brass Band in 1983. This was while he was still in high school in the Tremé neighborhood. He made his first recordings with the band in 1984. The group was inspired by another famous band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. This band brought new sounds like funk and modern jazz into the traditional New Orleans brass band style.
Before they became very popular, the Rebirth Brass Band often played music on the streets. They would perform in the French Quarter for tips. Soon, they became a regular band at the Glass House, which used to be the Dirty Dozen's main spot. Once, when playing in New York City, the band tried to march outside like they do in New Orleans. But the police stopped them because they didn't have a permit.
Other Cool Projects
Kermit Ruffins has appeared in several films and TV shows. He was interviewed and performed in the 2005 movie Make It Funky!. This film tells the story of New Orleans music. In the movie, he played "Skokiaan" in a trumpet challenge with Irvin Mayfield and Troy Andrews.
He also played himself as a regular character in the HBO TV series Treme. This show is about life in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
In 2016, Kermit Ruffins performed a version of The Bare Necessities. This was for Disney's remake of The Jungle Book. He sang it with actor Bill Murray. Kermit has released many albums throughout his career, sharing his unique New Orleans jazz sound with the world.
Images for kids
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Ruffins (left) with the late Danny Barker at French Quarter Festival, circa 1990
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Ruffins at Tipitina's, February 2006
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Ruffins at Old Mint, shown before a set at the Satchmo SummerFest, August 2007
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Ruffins playing at Cafe Brasil in New Orleans, November 2007
See also
- List of people from New Orleans, Louisiana
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Treme (TV Series)
