Putumayo Presents Kermit Ruffins CD

New Orleans Trumpet Player

Personnel: Kermit Ruffins (vocals, trumpet); Kermit Ruffins; Danny Barker , Detroit Brooks (banjo); Dr. Michael White , Doreen Ketchens (clarinet); Roderick Paulin (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eric Traub (tenor saxophone); Corey Henry, Lucien Barbarin, Troy Andrews (trombone); Anthony Lacen (tuba); Victor "Red" Atkins, David Torkanowsky, Ellis Marsalis, Emile Vinette, Dwight Fitch (piano); Neal Caine, Kevin Morris (upright bass); Arthur Latin (drums, percussion); Jerry Anderson, Shannon Powell (drums).
Liner Note Author: Jacob Edgar.
Illustrator: Nicola Heindl.
Translators: Julien Massardier; Jorge Maldonado.
Arranger: Kermit Ruffins.
The majority of releases by the world music label Putumayo have been various-artist compilations dedicated to highlighting a particular culture through their indigenous music. On this compilation, Putumayo adjusts that format, spotlighting a singular artist: New Orleans' vocalist and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. Pulling from his seven previous albums on the Justice and Basin Street labels, Putumayo is hoping to bring Ruffins' classic Crescent City jazz style to a wider audience, with his mix of the joyous nature associated with Louis Armstrong and second line celebrating . The 11 tracks combine traditional fare such as "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Bye and Bye" and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" with contemporary Ruffins' originals: "Kermit's Second Line," "Goodnight," "Do the Fat Tuesday," and "Leshianne." When listening to Kermit Ruffins, it becomes apparent that it doesn't have to be Mardi Gras to enjoy the spirited music of the Big Easy. ~ Al Campbell

Dirty Linen (p.59) - "Surrounded by blaring trombones, wailing clarinets, plinkin' pianos, rumbling tubas, and cluckin' banjos provided by New Orleans' finest, every moment is a memorably precious one."