Kermit Ruffins: 1533 St. Phillip Street (2001)

Matt Robinson

Recent articles (86 total)

Published: January 22, 2003

Especially in these times of national anxiety and its stronger foil, patriotic pride, it is both comforting and encouraging to be able to hear the sound of great, upbeat All-American music such as this latest release from Kermit Ruffins. Named for the ReBirth Brass Band founder’s new jazz club in the heart of New Orleans, Ruffins’ album tips a wide-brimmed hat to a number of the Crescent City’s older favorite sons, both native and adopted.

Combining the gruff growl and golden blare of Louis Armstrong with the humorous arrangement talents of Louis Jordan, Ruffins lets loose with a brass-covered smile on the Jordan favorite "T-I-L-L-I-E" and Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne’s "I Still Get Jealous." Originals like "Drop Me Off in New Orleans" and "Meet Me at the Second Line" combine traditional French Quarter fare with contemporary catches ("Drop Me Off" refers to red beans and greens but also includes the term "home boy" and its familiar derivative "homey"). Ruffins’ band is also a gumbo of old and new which includes trombonist Corey Henry and clarinestist Dr. Michael White along with Harry Connick Jr’s rhythmic drummer Arthur Latin and bassist Neal Caine. So, to quote Ruffins, "When you’re feeling down and out and you feel there’s no way out / Get dropped off in New Orleans." And if you can’t visit Kermit at 1533 St. Philip, this album should do the trick.

Track Listing: Ole Miss Blues; Drop Me off in New Orleans; Tillie; Bye and Bye; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream...); Black and Blue; I Still Get Jealous; Jack, I'm Mellow ; Meet Me at the Second Line; Keep Walkin'; In the Bag; Some of These Days.

Personnel: David Torkanowsky: piano; Kermit Ruffins: trumpet, vocals; Corey Henry: trombone Eric Traub: saxophone; Neal Caine: double-bass; Michael White: clarinet.

Record Label: Basin Street Records
Style: Dixieland/New Orleans/Swing

Shop for jazz:

Kermit Ruffins Related

View more Kermit Ruffins photos | Upload Kermit Ruffins photos

Date	Venue	Tickets
Jun18	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun20	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jun21	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun22	Little Gem Saloon New Orleans, LA
Jun23	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun24	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun25	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun27	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jun28	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun29	Little Gem Saloon New Orleans, LA
Jun30	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul01	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul02	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul16	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul18	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jul19	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jul21	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul22	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul23	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul24	The Gramophone St. Louis, MO
Jul25	The Gramophone St. Louis, MO
Jul26	Space Evanston, IL
Jul27	FitzGerald's Night Club Berwyn, IL
Jul28	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul29	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul30	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug01	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug02	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Aug03	Island View Casino Gulfport, MS
Aug04	Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, LA
Aug05	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug06	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug08	Highline Ballroom New York, NY	buy
Aug11	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug12	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug13	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug15	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug16	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Aug18	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug19	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug21	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA
Aug22	Brick and Mortor San Francisco, CA
Aug23	Brick and Mortor San Francisco, CA
Aug25	The New Parish Oakland, CA
Aug26	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug27	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug29	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug30	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA