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When you hear great performers, you know it right away. They balance skill with humility, sadness with levity, and performance with listening. Red & Ruby do all that and more, as they swing through a curious playlist of songs from the 1920s to modern day. They’ve got so much chemistry that Monsanto pales in comparison.
Their engaging partnership didn’t just happen overnight. Both have extensive musical experience that supports their playful performances.
Vince has been performing and teaching acoustic music on guitar & banjo in a variety of styles for over 30 years. He has played at venues and festivals around the world. Recent performance projects include western swing style take-off guitar with Red Brown & the Tune Stranglers; guitar & tenor banjo with the gypsy swing band Hot Club Sandwich; and regular performances on guitar and 5-string banjo. He also teaches guitar performance and theory.
LaVon’s background includes musical theater, including the Stardust holiday musical by Olympia’s Harlequin Productions; various roles with Boston Lyric Opera; and work with a variety of regional musicians. She has contributed vocals to albums by Hot Club Sandwich and Obrador, and recently (after much urging) released her first solo album, entitled Choices. She’s also a vocal coach and church choir director.
While LaVon’s clearly articulated lyrics unravel the songs’ stories, emotion and the melody are an even bigger part of her vocal storytelling, which includes a unique scatting style. “I think people get caught up with words, which get to the intellect. Music can get straight to your being. Words tend to have barriers, but music has an ability to break down these barriers. Music doesn’t have to jump through so many hoops on its way to the heart.”
The humor and angst of the human condition are painted with unerring clarity in the music of Red & Ruby -- and they share the fun with anyone willing to come along for the ride.
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