Karese Young and Herb Ruffin together form a duo of Viola and Piano, called Plum Island, Caribbean Jazz. Now performing with the Solano Community Orchestra and the New Millenium Orchestra in Berkeley, Karese recently joined forces with Herb, who has been writing, arranging and composing on the piano since he was a kid in Mobile, Alabama. Steeped in Gospel, Funk, Reggae and Jazz, Herb is the composer of orignal music written expecially for this unique duo.
The viola is slightly larger than a violin, with a little deeper sound to it. Influenced by violinists such as Noel Pointer, Regina Carter and Jean-Luc-Ponty, Karese found a new passion for Jazz, and is now collaborating with Herb to play original compositions and also standards by the likes of Duke Ellington, Carlos Jobim and Charlie Parker to name a few.
Their production, In Your Heart is due to be released in the spring of 2007. They?ve been workshopping their repertoire while hosting the Saturday morning jam session at Listen & Be Heard Poetry Caf?. By their own description this is ?west meets south, classical meets jazz, a unique blend of Latin and Jazz flavors with the intricacies and discipline of classical training.? The duo hopes to bring a ?spiritual, enlivening and positive influence to the art of music.?
Karese Young and Herb Ruffin have been hosting the Acoustic Jam at Listen & Be Heard Poetry Caf? on the first and fourth Saturdays of the month, attracting listeners to their Jazzy arrangements, by Herb, that work well for the duo. The result of their efforts has delighted our Saturday morning patrons who have witnessed the rapid development of the duo’s repertoire.
In 2007 they will host the jam as usual on Jan. 6 and 27 from 11am-2pm. It’s Free. They will also play as a trio with Mark McGee joining them on drums on Jan. 13 and 20 from 9pm-midnight. $10 admission. The trio will perform jazz standards with a Caribbean flavor, and originals by Herb Ruffin. Listen & Be Heard Poetry Caf?. 818 Marin St. Downtown Vallejo., 94590 707-554-4540
Listen & Be Heard Poetry Caf?
818 Marin Street, Downtown Vallejo.
707-554-4540
www.listenandbheard.net
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