Rebirth Brass Band Ruffins co-founded the
Rebirth Brass Band in 1983 while attending Clark High School in the
Tremé neighborhood. He made his first recordings with the Rebirth band in 1984. The group was inspired by
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a band of slightly older musicians credited with bringing influences of funk and contemporary bebop into New Orleans style brass bands. Before they achieved the popularity which allowed them to play regularly in local music venues, the Rebirth often
busked around the
French Quarter for
tips. They soon became a "house band" at the Glass House, previously the Dirty Dozen's home venue. Rebirth once had a gig in New York City at
Lone Star Cafe, but they were hassled by police for having no permit when they began marching outdoors as is common practice in New Orleans. He has also performed at hundreds of funerals during his career in the Crescent City. In the film, he performs "
Skokiaan" as part of a trumpet challenge with
Irvin Mayfield and
Troy Andrews. He appeared as himself in
HBO's
Treme as a recurring character. Ruffins also performed a rendition of
The Bare Necessities for
Disney's 2016 remake of
The Jungle Book, alongside actor
Bill Murray. Image:RuffinsBarker.jpg|Ruffins (left) with the late
Danny Barker at
French Quarter Festival, circa 1990 Image:Kermit_Ruffins4.jpg|Ruffins at Tipitina's, February 2006 Image:KermitRProfile4Aug07Mint.jpg|Ruffins at Old Mint, shown before a set at the
Satchmo SummerFest, August 2007 Image:KermitRuffins11Nov07FirstValve.jpg|Ruffins playing at Cafe Brasil in New Orleans, November 2007 == Discography ==