Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers
When:
Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:00p -
11:00p
Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:00p -
11:00p
Where:
Brighton Music Hall
158 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 01234
Admission:
$27.50
Categories:
Date Idea, Music, Nightlife, Party
Event website:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01004C7FBC645137
It takes all of 30 seconds.
Whether listening to a track on his newest CD, engaging him in conversation or hearing his voice on an answering machine message, one word springs immediately to mind to describe Kermit Ruffins.
Passion.
The 44-year-old New Orleans native lives it, plays it and sings about it, and nowhere is it more evident than when he discusses his craft the swinging, good-time jazz that lured him in as a teenager and continues to whet his appetite even three decades and 10 solo recordings later.
"You definitely pick that up from me. Thats definitely the way I live, man," he said. "From the time I wake up in the morning, Im itching for my next show to happen. It cant get here fast enough for me. I think thats the basic ingredient of New Orleans music. Our traditional music. Its really just happy music. A lot of other jazz players are very technical and concentrating on studying hard.
"We study hard, too, but what we most want to do is just get up there and experiment with the tunes that weve been playing for years and years."
At this point in his career, in fact, having fun at work is a prerequisite.
"Thats really the only way I can do it anymore," Ruffins said. "I do occasionally play a straight-ahead gig like a business meeting or a private party once in a while, where all theyre asking me for is background music, but Id rather get people up and dancing than just having dinner and listening. Id rather be in one of the New Orleans clubs, and Ill only take gigs in places that have a dance floor. There are places around the city that I played for years, but now I wont do it because nobodys dancing."
18+ / 8 p.m. doors
