Dr. Michael White has gained notoriety as an informed purveyor of New Orleans traditional jazz as a gifted musician, composer, educator and historian. Long respected in his hometown and in classic jazz enclaves around the world, he enjoyed further recognition through his association with renowned jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Kermit Ruffins first gained notice with the ReBirth Brass Band, one of New Orleans' hot young ensembles that helped shake up the traditional music. He and high school classmate, tuba player Philip Frazier co-founded the group in 1982. Ruffins' strong musical presence and warm personality soon made him a crowd favorite. It was with ReBirth that Ruffins' talents as a composer emerged, contributing what would become brass band classics "Do Whatcha Wanna" and "Put Your Right Foot Forward." Like so many New Orleans trumpet players before him, Ruffins the musician also became Ruffins the vocalist.

"Every trumpeter player I saw was singing," explains Ruffins of adding vocals to his musical repertoire. "I guess it's because of Louis Armstrong. So I thought I'd better start singing."

In 1994 he left the Rebirth Brass Band to start his own solo career and to continue experimenting with different types of jazz. His music, like the Crescent City itself, swings hard with a big heart as it honors tradition. Ruffins is also known for serving Barbecue out of the back of his pick-up truck between sets at his New Orleans gigs.

"Music is real real good for the soul and so is food super good for the soul," declares an enthusiastic Ruffins. "It's a spiritual thing too," he adds. "I mean when you put both of them together, I think you have the biggest party ever. And that's what New Orleans is famous for, putting that good food on the table at the same time while they have the hottest band in the city on stage."

Putumayo World Music has released a collection of New Orleans music featuring The collection includes legends Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Doc Cheatham, Dr. John and The Preservation Hall Hot 4 with Duke Dejan alongside local favorites Nicholas Payton, Kermit Ruffins, Deacon John, Dr. Michael White, Topsy Chapman, Kevin Clark and Gregg Stafford. They have also released a collection featuring Kermit Ruffins recordings from the past decade, simply called "Kermit Ruffins".

"Kermit Ruffins" (Featured in our current CD give-away contest) is an upbeat collection of classic covers and originals featuring Kermit's various ensembles. The CD opens with Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'" followed by "Monday Night in New Orleans", which are Kermit's lyrics to the Louis Armstrong tune "Christmas Night in New Orleans". Ruffins wrote this with affection for his regular Monday night gig at Donna's on Rampart Street, "If it's Monday night it's is red beans and rice night".

My favorite tune is the "The Sunny Side of the Street" or as he sings it "the side of that street that's sunny". That change, borrowed from Nat King Cole, changes the rhythm and really gives the tune a infectious hook. Kermit has a gift for performance and for making an audience feel good. The closing track, "Do the Fat Tuesday" is a live recording that captures some of the joy and energy that is exchanged between the crowd and Ruffins in concert. If that doesn't get you out of your chair, nothing will!

For this month:
• 04/13 Staten Island, NY R.H. Tugs
• 04/14 New York, NY Joe's Pub
• 04/15 Ann Arbor, MI Firefly
• 04/16 Chicago, IL Old Town School (w/ Dr. Michael)
• 04/17 Minneapolis, MN The Dakota (w/ Dr. Michael White, Putumayo and Basin Street present)
• 04/21 New Orleans, LA Jazz Fest Gala, Fairmont Hotel
• 04/23 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival