Happy Talk is Kermit Ruffins' newest release following an unforgettable performance as himself in the first season of 'Tremé,' HBO's acclaimed new drama series. Lifted into the national spotlight by the hit television show, Kermit keeps the momentum swinging with his first big band album.

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A favorite on the New Orleans music scene, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins combines the spirit of classic New Orleans music with the energy and creativity of the modern Crescent City sound. On this retrospective, featuring selections from Ruffins’ seven solo albums on Basin Street and Justice Records, Putumayo hopes to bring the music of this remarkable musician to a wider audience.

Ruffins helped spark a brass band revival in the 1980s when he co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band, a dynamic group of teenage musicians who started playing in the streets of the French Quarter. The group released numerous critically-acclaimed records and brought their energetic performances to concert halls around the world.

In 1992, after seven CDs and extensive touring with Rebirth, Ruffins set off on a solo career. Seeking to focus on his passion for classic New Orleans jazz, he established the Barbecue Swingers, a quintet whose name comes from Kermit’s habit of cooking up savory barbecue from the back of his pickup truck before many of his gigs.

Ruffins has since recorded seven albums on his own. Audiences applaud his original compositions and revel in his innovative versions of jazz and swing classics. His energy, virtuoso trumpet playing and expressive voice have earned him regular comparisons to Louis Armstrong.

Ruffins’ laid-back demeanor, zest for life and appreciation of good food, music and company embody the unique character of the city where he was born and raised. His fans will find some of his most memorable solo tracks on this collection, many of which are now out of print. For those who have yet to discover the work of this irrepressible showman and talented musician, Kermit Ruffins is the perfect introduction.

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