Press for #imsoneworleans

“Ruffins and his funk-meets-trad jazz band play with such a relaxed, live jamming style, and the musicianship is so fine, that the listener almost expects to hear applause after the bandleader or his stellar piano/keys play Yoshitaka “Z2″ Tsuji takes a solo.” -Barbara Schultz, Electronic Musician

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Product Description

Beloved New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist, Kermit Ruffins, returns proclaiming his love and pride for his hometown with #imsoneworleans out April 21, 2015 via Basin Street Records. Good times and a carefree attitude permeate this collection of originals and covers that features The Barbecue Swingers, Kermit’s regular gigging band, for the first time in over a decade.

The album pulls from various styles including New Orleans classics like “Jock-a-Mo (Iko Iko)” and “Tipitina,” vintage Kermit Ruffins originals from his time with Rebirth Brass Band like the Caribbean-tinged “Mexican Special,” and a two-part title-track, an homage to the city he loves so dearly replete with dedications to music legends and anecdotes about his life growing up in the Big Easy.

In addition to expressing his love of New Orleans, Kermit also wanted to showcase two special guest vocalists–Nayo Jones, a regular featured guest at Kermit’s live shows, belts her way through Etta James’ “At Last,” and introducing Kaylin Orleans Ruffins, Kermit’s youngest daughter, in a heartfelt duet with her dad on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Whether you’re tweeting it, posting it, recording a Vine, instagramming it, or just telling your Grandma on the phone—get the word out! Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers keep it swingin’ and 100% authentic with #imsoneworleans.

Liner Notes

Track List

1. I’m So New Orleans (5:31)

• Kermit Ruffins
• Kermit Ruffins Music Company (BMI), Nisab Publishing (BMi)

2. Tipitina (6:24)

• Henry Roeland Byrd
• Professor Longhair Music (BMI)

3. Mexican Special (4:06)

• Kermit Ruffins, Keith Frazier, Philip Frazier
• Kermit Ruffins Music Company (BMI), Streetbrass Music (BMI)

4. At Last (feat. Nayo Jones) (6:18)

• Harry Warren, Mack Gordon
• EMI Feist Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP)

5. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (5:18)

• Jimmy Mchugh, Dorothy Fields
• Aldi Music (ASCAP), Cotton Club Publishing (ASCAP)

6. Put Your Right Foot Forward (4:31)

• Kermit Ruffins, Phil Frazier
• Kermit Ruffins Music Company (BMI), Streetbrass Music (BMI)

7. Jock-A-Mo (Iko Iko) (5:11)

• James “Sugarboy” Crawford
• Arc Music (BMI)

8. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (feat. KaylinOrleans Ruffins) (5:15)

• Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg
• EMI Feist Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP)

9. I’m So New Orleans (Part 2) (5:51)

• Kermit Ruffins
• Kermit Ruffins Music Company (BMI), Nisab Publishing (BMI)

Personnel

Kermit Ruffins – Trumpet, Vocals

The Barbecue Swingers

Kevin Morris – Bass

Jerry Barbarin Anderson – Drums

Yoshitaka ‘Z2’ Tsuji – Piano

Special Guests

June Yamagishi – Guitar

Haruka Kikuchi – Trombone

Britney Chauntae – Vocals

Percy Williams – Percussion

Dexter Daily – Steel Drums

Featuring

Nayo Jones – Vocals

Kaylin Orleans Ruffins – Vocals

Thank You

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Hey y’all, never in my life have I been so humbled, proud and happy.

Thanks to my beautiful wife, Lexine, for letting me truly be who I am—thank you baby. And I promise this is my last love LOL.

I have the best fans in the world—real music lovers—thank y’all so much for buying my CDs and coming to my gigs. It is so important to have positive, genuine, loving people in one’s life time.

I really feel in my heart New Orleans musicians and people of New Orleans are living the best lives. We are blessed with what we have. I just made 50 and I have traveled the world for the last 30 years and nowhere makes me happier then New Orleans.

My band members are just like family, we are so respectful of each other, never argue, fuss or fight—we get along like brothers and sisters and I’m quite sure you can tell when you see us on stage. Kevin Morris, my bass player, went to St. Augustine High School and Xavier University and has been with me for about 25 years. He is an original Barbecue Swinger. Jerry Anderson, my drummer, from the Barbarin family, is the original drummer for the band and I am happy to have him back. Me, Kev and Jerry have been playing together since I left Rebirth. Yoshitaka “Z2” Tsuji, my piano player, has been with me for about four years now, and Miss Nayo Jones has been singing with my band for about three years now. Looking forward to the next 30 years LOL.

This CD will make you laugh, dance, and cry. Get ready for my daughter Kaylin Ruffins—eight years old—singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow!” When I asked her to sing on my CD she said, and I quote, “Yes put me on the cover and you will sell millions.” Obviously she needs to work on her humbleness LOL.

Mark Samuels and the Basin Street Records family are truly some of the best people I’ve met in my life. Thanks, Mark!

Tom Thompson, my manager, has been there with me for over 20 years through thick and thin. Thanks Tom! #Rubyarts… let’s get ready for 30 more years!

Tracey Freeman has to be one of the best producers in the world. I’ve been working with Tracey for about 15 years and we just did the soundtrack for Disney’s Jungle Book, so get ready for that. Thanks, Tracey!

Special guests are my uncle Percy Williams, June Yamagishi, Haruka Kikuchi, Britney Chauntae and Dexter Daily. Thanks, ya’ll.

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards. (Don’t get too used to joy where you don’t notice it anymore)

Thanks! Yours truly, Kermit Ruffins. #imsoneworleans

Credits

Produced and Mixed by Tracey Freeman
Executive Producer: Mark Samuels

Recorded by Mike Dorsey
Recorded at Music Shed Studios, New Orleans, LA
Mastered by Vlado Meller
Assistant Engineer: Jeremy Lubsey
Design and Production Coordination: Diana Thornton, Crescent Music Services
Cover Photo: Jennifer Sandquist
Trumpet: Harrelson Satchmo Trumpet