Ruby Turner was born in Jamaica where she lived until the age of 9, when she moved to Birmingham. Her career to date has always had unexpected twists and turns but with major tours, TV and theatre appearances, and a brand new album in the pipeline, the future continues to look positive.
Her major break came in the mid 1980's, when she was asked to join 'Culture Club' at the height of their stardom. Ruby very quickly learned how to deal with the routine of gruelling tour schedules and living out of a suit case. An offer of a solo record deal closely followed and she soon signed to Jive Records, part of the Zomba Group. Four albums and the 'Best of Ruby Turner' compilation album were all released to critical acclaim over the next few years.
This period went on to spawn the hits 'If You're Ready (Come Go With Me) and 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and, in the American R'n'B chart, the number 1 hit single 'It's Gonna Be Alright' - one of less than ten British records to achieve this! It was at this time that she also released her hit album 'The Motown Songbook' on which she performed with some of the great stars of that era - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin etc.
To date, Ruby has released 10 albums plus the BBC's 'Live From Glastonbury', as well as appearing on releases by the likes of Brian Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood and Jools Holland. She recently sang on 5 tracks on Mick Jagger..s solo album.
Ruby affirmed her ability as a fine songwriter, an aspect of her talent which she has gradually been honing and tuning, when she penned nine of the songs for her 'Call Me By My Name' album released at the end of 1999. Artists as diverse and influential as Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest have all covered some of her songs.
In recent years, with theatre still in her blood, Ruby has returned to the stage and appeared in productions of Tennessee Williams.. A Street Car Named Desire, Carmen Jones, Fame (in the West End) and in the highly acclaimed One Love directed by Yvonne Brewster at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Ruby appeared at Donmar Warehouse as part of their ..Diva..s at the Donmar.. season and in ..The Crucible.., Sheffield.
Ruby has also appeared in the BBC TV..s Doctors, Judge John Deed, EastEnders, ..Jeffrey Archer - The Truth.., Holby City and the Richard Curtis film ..Love Actually..
She has given acclaimed appearances at the Brecon Jazz Festival, and for BBC Radio..s Music Live with Joe Crocker and Michael Bolton at Cardiff Bay. She also performed at the Hay on Wye festival and attended many other high profile events.
Her last album was ..Ruby Turner Live In Bristol.. - recorded live at the Bristol Theatre Royal. On that album she performs some of the hit songs for which she is best known, including ..I..d Rather Go Blind.., ..If you..re ready come go with me.., ..Stay with me Baby.. and ..Signed, Sealed, Delivered...
Ruby has just completed a successful run in ..Simply Heavenly.. in the West End after selling out The Young Vic last year. The musical has won several awards and was nominated for the most Outstanding Musical at the Laurence Olivier awards on Feb 19th, where Ruby performed a Cole Porter song.
Along with ..Simply Heavenly.. Ruby is touring the country with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra .
Ruby is very excited about her Brand new album ..So Amazing... 10 out of the 12 tracks are co-written by her. One of the tracks which she co-wrote at Miles Copeland..s chateau in France will be featured in the BBC drama ..Silent Witness... Some of the brand new material was performed by Ruby recently to a packed out Jazz Café in london on March 18th.
Ruby appeared on Comic Relief (BBC) with Jools Holland on March 11th singing a stunning duet with Will Young of ..Blowing in the wind... She will also be appearing as the special guest on the Songs of Praise Easter Special.
Ruby is currently performing her own gigs along with touring the country with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra as his very special guest. Jools Holland features tracks by Ruby on his last three ..Jools Holland & Friends.. Platinum-selling albums - ..Nobody but you.., ..Count me in" and ..When I get home...
hi ruby.. how are you?! were your ears burning yesterday evening?... i sang 40 songs at a gig, and the last track was I WOULD RATHER GO BLIND.. a few people came up to ask me who sang it, I said it had been covered by many, ie. Rod Stewart, Dinah Washington etc.,but that it caught my ear when I heard your version, and that I'd heard you do it live at Jazz Cafe in Camden. One of the guests advised me that she'd been at a private party where Jools had been hired and you were the singer.. she validated my feedback, and said you were so powerful at the party.. hope all is good with you lady, and LOVE ACTUALLY is constantly shown on tv (I watch it for Rodrigues Santora.. the argentinian guy from the 'Chanel' ads!).. but I know you're in it singing with the little girl on stage at the end!).. have a fantastic summer of gigs Ruby!.. and kudos to you and all the other contributors on WB's 'Abolition of Slavery' album... says a lot about you all as people, for committing your time, energy and talent to the benefit of children worldwide... rae from london ;-) x
Hi Ruby, it was REALLY great to chat with you on air last week. You had me in stiches: a really lovely lady. All the best with the tour and remember, next time It's got to be champaigne!! All the best, Richard (HFM Radio) xxx
Hello Sweetie, I've just remembered, you've never left a lovely 'comment' on my site as yet! please rectify this immediately or I will not allow you to take me for a weekend away!!! J
Hope you are well. Just swinging by to say hi and hope you enjoy your weekend. We’d like to remind you of the fundraising event we’re organising on Sunday May 25.
If you and your friends are in London and want to combine a good night out with helping Leukaemia sufferers please join us for this special event supported by the ACLT, Colourful Radio, Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Haringey City Radio.
This evening will be presented by the lovely and talented Julie Ann Ryan of Colourful Radio. Key speakers are Orin Lewis and Bev De Gale from the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and artist include US band Kloud 9 , Singers Martine Girault, Bryon Gold, poet Jahson- The Scientist and dance band Dynamic Eclipse. Check out their myspace pages if you can!
We do need your help for this worthy cause.
Help us make a difference to people’s lives by buying a ticket and enjoying yourself in our company on the next Bank Holiday weekend. We look forward to meeting you. Nu - Koncepts
The weather here is great. Everything is blooming and we're going to be close to 80 degrees tomorrow. I'm line-editing right now and the allergies are about the only thing that could keep me inside and working. A blessing? maybe.
Hopefully, everything will explode into bloom, fade and I can get back to feeling normal.
