Mitchell Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz

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A Journey Through the Life and Music of a Jazz Legend

Mitchell Ruff was born in the small town of Greenville, South Carolina, in 1920. His father was a sharecropper and his mother was a domestic worker. Ruff grew up in poverty, but he found solace in music. He began playing the piano at an early age, and by the time he was a teenager, he was playing in local clubs and churches.

Mitchell & Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz

by William Zinsser

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	391 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	205 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

In 1940, Ruff moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly became a fixture on the jazz scene, playing with some of the biggest names in the business, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. Ruff's own music was a blend of traditional jazz, blues, and gospel, and he quickly developed a reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting young musicians on the scene.

In the 1950s, Ruff's career began to take off. He recorded several albums and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He also appeared in several films and television shows. In 1958, he was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist.

Ruff's career continued to flourish in the 1960s and 1970s. He continued to record albums and tour, and he also taught at several universities and conservatories. In 1975, he was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame.

Ruff died in 1989 at the age of 69. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to inspire and influence jazz musicians around the world. He was a true American icon, and his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative nature of music.

Mitchell Ruff's Music

Mitchell Ruff's music was a blend of traditional jazz, blues, and gospel. He was a master of improvisation, and his solos were often filled with complex and inventive melodies. Ruff's music was also deeply soulful, and it often conveyed a sense of hope and optimism.

Ruff's most famous compositions include "The Preacher," "The Blues Come Fallin' Down," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." These songs have been recorded by countless other jazz musicians, and they continue to be performed around the world today.

Mitchell Ruff's Legacy

Mitchell Ruff was one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. His music helped to shape the sound of jazz, and he inspired generations of musicians. Ruff was also a pioneer in the field of jazz education, and he helped to establish jazz as a legitimate academic discipline.

Ruff's legacy continues to live on through his music and his students. His music is still played and enjoyed by people all over the world, and his students continue to carry on his tradition of excellence in jazz education.

Mitchell Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz is a must-read for anyone who loves jazz music or who is interested in the life and times of one of the most important American musicians of the 20th century.

The book is full of fascinating insights into Ruff's life and music, and it is beautifully written by award-winning author and jazz historian Ted Gioia. Mitchell Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz is a must-read for anyone who wants to truly understand the history of jazz music.

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Mitchell & Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz

by William Zinsser

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	391 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	205 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE