ruth-hammond
BMJ. Hi Ruth - thanks for taking time out to talk to us.
R.H. It's a pleasure. I'm really looking forward to the gig at BMJ - Scott (the trio's drummer and my hubbie) was enthusing about the club after playing there with Kevin Figes.

BMJ. Tell us a little about yourself and what you will be performing at the BMJ gig on 7 March.
R.H. I've been working as a musician since leaving Leeds College of Music ten years ago (only just realised it was that long ago!) and I have been very fortunate to play in many different groups, as a saxophonist, pianist, organist and singer.

This particular trio started up around three years ago and initially it was intended to be quite a straight-ahead swingin' piano trio - as I love players like Oscar Peterson and also singers like Ella. But our repertoire has evolved quite naturally to reflect who we are as players - there's some great swingy standards in the set and the blues seems to creep into a lot of what I play. I do some of my own songs - some of which are what you might describe as more "groove-based" but still with jazz sensibilities. I've also taken a few songs by some of my favourite songwriters who aren't in the field of jazz and arranged them for the trio - it's always fun to take a song out of it's original context like that.
Here are some recent reviews of Ruth Hammond's performances and recordings:

"Ruth's warm laid back personality comes across on every one of her self crafted songs - her music is tight home baked funk ... and the authenticity of the music makes it fresh."
Straight No Chaser

"Hammond has a very individual sound to her vocals ... completely non-imitational - rare these days.
The Singer Magazine

"One of a legion of highly talented artists operating under the cultural radar ...with alternating 3am introspection and loose limbed funk."
Logo Magazine

"Quirky phrases and ear-catching harmonic twists coexist with unabashedly poppy and accessible choruses - thoroughly enjoyable."

BMJ. I believe you have an album out - will it be on sale at the gig?
R.H. Yes it certainly will:-) My solo album - "All the good things" was recorded with a 10 piece band and we've adapted some of the tunes for the trio.

BMJ. You also play saxophone, will you be bringing this to the gig?
R.H. Yes, I don't play it on every gig with this trio but sometimes it's really nice to bring it out of the case for a tune or two. I really enjoy playing without a chordal instrument in this setting - just sax, bass and drums - lots of space and we naturally become very conversational in our playing.

BMJ. Tell us about the guys in the trio.
R.H. Valere Speranza is a fantastic double bass player who I met about five years ago when we moved to Bristol - I love his approach and his lovely warm sound - he's a Ray Brown/Christian Mcbride disciple and he swings!! He has a great ear for arranging too. You met Scott when he played with Kevin Figes at the club - I play with him in a number of bands and not just because we're married:-) He's a really musical and sensitive drummer - he's played with Herb Geller, Bobby Wellins, Alan Barnes, Dave O' Higgins, Jason Rebello, Ian Ballamy and Pee Wee Ellis amongst others.

BMJ. Have you any exciting projects lined up for 2007?
R.H. I'm really hoping to record with this trio. I am also part of a new project called The Rogue Dolls - an all female blues band - which is turning out to be a whole lot of fun!! There's details on my new website about this - and about all the other activities and projects I'm involved with.

BMJ. Ruth - many thanks and we're really looking forward to seeing you at the Crown and Sceptre on Wednesday 7 March.