Pearl Jam, Damien Rice, Dave Matthews, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Tom Petty, Cats Stevens, Dan Torres, Ben Harper, Muddy Waters, Fats Waller, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, U2, Pink Floyd, Cold Play, Radio Head, Tori Amos, Bjork, America, Cream, The Band
Sounds Like
"Effervescence" - James Ruff- Live at Rockwood Music Hall
"Protect" - James Ruff- Live at Rockwood Music Hall
Debut Album "Long Journey Home" Releases May 18th 2009!
The most endangered species are Dedicated Leaders
Live, Love, Dream, and Act Boldly.
James Ruff
(Singer, Song writer, Guitar player) always packs the rooms and fills his shows with his charismatic and wildly energetic presence, heartfelt lyrics, and laughter. If Dave Matthews and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows were to have a child, James would be that miracle. He brings to life his stories with the use of polyrhythmic, groove-stirring world rhythms, folk attitude and poetic eloquence. James just finished his first album "Long Journey Home" which releases on May 18th 2009 and on May 21 2009 is embarking on a four-month cross-continental US tour.
While James’ primary instruments are guitar and voice, his passion for world music and percussion led him to Costa Rica working with “the grandfather of calypso” Mr. Walter Ferguson, to Ghana, Africa where he studied tribal polyrhythms with world renown Mustapha Tettey Addy and played with the African drum and dance troupe Selamta, studying under master drummer Nii Quao. James studied Indian rhythms with one of India’s most highly recognized tabla players, Samir Chatterjee.
James studies voice with Wendy Parr (whose client’s include Regina Spektor and Nancy Sinatra, has trained under Seth Riggs (world renown voice teacher of such greats as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and many others) and has song written with Holly Lemar, co-writer of the hit song “Breathe Slow”.
Born of two American parents, James spent most of his youth traveling from coast to coast. His passion for music started early singing for all boys’ choirs and playing clarinet in local school bands. After a challenging youth James found solace in music transforming personal stories to heart opening tales. In his own words, “Music gave me back my life.” James has been performing locally in New York City and running his business NYC Healing since 2003.
Daily updates and details about the tour on Twiiter!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE LOVE LET ME ME GIVE SOME BACK I HAVE NOT BEEN ONLINE FOR A LONG TIME I'M SORRY BUT SCHOOL & MUSIC MOVEMENT KEEPS ME WORKING HARD I'M JUST 12 YEARS OLD YOU KNOW
hey man i love portland hope the touring is goin well, im going back to colorado soon so i'll probably paint matt's window well. oh yeah and if you need any art let me know, cause thats what i do. PEACE! -Nyland Anemelly Design
Yeah! Colorado was great. I'm glad I was fortuante enough to get to see y'all play. Y'all are amazing! Hopefully I'll catch you two again somehwere along the road :)
wow, i envy you so much:] not everyone can say they played a concert in the middle of the forest! that is AWESOME and i probably wont be in those parts anytime soon, but i hope you have a great time, and everyone you meet will no doubt LOVE your beautiful music (annd i love your song- tears form God, i play it on repeat:])
I actually was reminded of it by a different friend of Mark's that I just went on vacation with. I am planning on coming for sure. I might bring my younger sisters...not sure yet though cause my parents are going away for a couple days tomorrow.
But I'm definitely planning on it. Ok sounds good.
i'm in breckenridge right now! it's pretty awesome here. i love it. it's so beautiful. i climbed this mountain yesterday and i never felt so accomplished. it was like the first time ever that i was motivated by PURE nature and nothing else. today i went white water rafting... alright haha i don't know why i'm telling you what i've been doing.. BUT MHM! i really enjoyed your set. i love your cd. tears from god is great. your significant other is beautiful and wonderful and the drums. i reallllly wish i could see you at that house party, but i don't think i can make it.
listen to my song "footsteps" if you want. i make music. music is everything. i think you feel that way too. the music i make i'm never satisfied with. but i like footsteps and i want to know what you think. i would love to play with you anytime anyday.
thank you for being another positive thought in my lyfe.
