Shelley Ruffin Shares Her Memphis Soul
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
For information regarding our Baby Grand Membership click here.
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Shelley Ruffin and Memphis Soul share more than a hometown. That Memphis Sound created at Stax and Hi Records, heard through Al Green and others, influenced her style and artistry. From the Middle C Jazz stage, Shelley will share her “Memphis Soul.”
PERSONNEL:
Shelley Ruffin - Vocals
Joe Lindsey - Guitar
John Dillard - Bass
Colby Dobbs - Keys
Donnie Marshall - Drums
Brad Wilcox - Trumpet
Tim Gordon - Saxophone
Shelley Ruffin
WEBSITE
Music runs through Shelley Ruffin’s life with all the depth and breadth of the mighty Mississippi coursing past her hometown. A southern girl steeped in delta soul, she’s carried a melody in her heart since her formative years, advancing an almost genetic predisposition to the art form.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Shelley is the granddaughter of a ‘30s-era big band leader, guitar/banjo player and songwriter who regularly opened for Guy Lombardo. The rich musical landscape of Memphis focused on historic Beale Street--her maiden name, interestingly, is Beale—immersed Shelley in sounds and styles unconcerned with the demands and categories of commercial music. Shelley’s early years were influenced by musical greats like Al Green, Patsy Cline, Bonnie Rai[, Stevie Nicks, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Linda Rondstadt, Anita Baker and Elvis.
From an early age, singing and performing was a constant for Shelley, be it in church choir, competitive ensemble or just around the house with family back in Memphis. Music has always been present in Shelley’s life, from her Grandfather’s Big Band career to memories with her Dad singing soul/blues music with her as a child, to her step-dad singing with Opera Memphis, to her younger brother’s, Timmy Jones, current career as an award-winning studio and touring drummer. “Our home has forever been filled with music. It has always been there...there is always a song in my head.”
Through the years Shelley has had the privilege of working with many award winning artists, Hall of Fame musicians and hit songwriters including: The Memphis Horns, Barry Beckett, Alex Harvey, Mike Chapman, Audley Freed, Kirk “Jelly Roll” Johnson, Judy Rodman, Ricky Ray Rector, Brent Mason, Gordon Mote, Jimmy Mattingly, and Jim Brock