Maddy Ruff

If Maddy Ruff did nothing other than simply sing, chances are it would be enough to earn your attention. With two albums to her credit, including her recently released sophomore effort, Over It, the University of Miami Frost School of Music graduate has earned enough kudos to ensure she will be one to watch in the coming months and years. Now based in the Big Apple, she’s established herself as a spirited frontwoman who heads up her own band, The Ruff Riders, and imparts a diverse repertoire that encompasses blues, standards, show tunes, R&B and, of course, modern rock ‘n’ roll. Despite comparisons to Fiona Apple and Amy Winehouse, Ruff’s clearly in a league of her own.
With platitudes like that being hurled her way, it ought to be more than enough to ensure some notice, but as a two-time cancer survivor who performs on a prosthetic leg (which she jokingly refers to as her “Barbie foot”), she’s earned additional attention. It’s not that she’s keen to play off people’s sympathies, but given her courage and determination, Ruff’s perseverance is certainly admirable. “I had pretty much made up my mind about being a performer by the age of two,” she insists. “My mother, Nina Hennessey, was pregnant with me while she was in Les Miserables on Broadway. We like to joke that I was performing before I was born.
Ruff has lived with challenges her entire life. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 16 when doctors found a tumor in her left ankle. She ultimately won her battle with cancer, but not before enduring the amputation of her left leg. “I look back on it now, and I can’t believe the resolve I had,” Ruff reflects. “My treatment lasted almost a year with almost every day spent at the hospital." Ruff stayed positive by seeing her treatment as a race, one with a starting point and an end point, which she had to remind herself over and over again, would eventually come.
"I wasn’t able to attend school, but I stayed on track with a home/hospital teacher in order to graduate on time," she says. "I remember taking the SAT’s in the hospital with a fever, which was ridiculous. I applied to colleges and even had a few interviews." Ruff was able to return to school and graduate on time, though her road to recovery was bumpy. There were a few set backs: a revision surgery after her amputation, some brutal symptoms of chemo, and a scare in one of her scans that led to a lung surgery.
"Christmas of 2006 was frightening. I was so weak and scared. I couldn’t eat any of the amazing food, and I remember being so angry. I am so lucky to have the family I have and the support system that I have. I am so lucky to have had the most amazing brilliant doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and I am so lucky that all things considered, we caught it early enough for me to have a shot.”
When the dust settled, Ruff was accepted into the University of Miami's Frost School of Music. Her stint there provided the springboard she needed to get serious about a music career. It was there she started writing, even penning one song, “Tell Me Not to Worry,” while being rushed to the hospital with a high fever.
“UM has an amazing music program,” she asserts. “I was in chemo treatment while applying to conservatory programs, and most of the program heads were terrified I wouldn’t make it. So, rather than take a chance on me, they decided not to deal with me. The University of Miami was not deterred by my bald Maddy audition video."
Ruff visited UM and almost immediately fell in love with the campus. Her freshman year she changed her major from classical voice to jazz voice. "Miami exposed me to a realm of music I hadn’t previously considered, and helped put me on the path to making the music I’m making today. I have to thank Chuck Bergeron for teaching me the blues and Nicole Yarling for saying I was capable of covering Etta James.”
Ruff’s determination clearly helped her conquer the obstacles she faced, but then again, she had set her sights on a singing career at very young age.
Having a mother who had a career on Broadway may have offered encouragement, but as she grew up, there was no shortage of music that helped affirm her ambitions “Over the years I have listened to and studied so many different kinds of music,” she recalls, citing Led Zeppelin, the Who, the Clash, Stevie Wonder, Pink, B.B. King, and the Black Keys as early inspiration. “It wasn’t until college that I really started to notice the influence the music I was listening to had on me. I listened to a crap load of Ella Fitzgerald and June Christy."
Her wide net of musical tastes have created a sound that can't easily fit into one category. It's a gumbo of different genres, all filtered through Ruff's own voice. “I’ve never thought of myself as a crossover artist, although many different styles inform my writing,” she says. “I actually don’t like categorizing my music at all. I understand from a marketing standpoint an artist’s sound needs to be put into a genre, but I have a hard time labeling myself. I write R&B songs with rock, pop, jazz, and blues influences. I have half jokingly/half seriously considered calling it Ruff n’ Roll.”
Ruff hasn’t allowed the loss of her leg to impact her positive attitude, although she admits it was difficult to deal with initially. “I don’t think anyone has ever lost a limb and been like, ‘Okay, no big deal,'” she concedes. “I think I deal with it pretty well. When you go through something so terrifying, you have to have a sense of humor about it. If you can’t learn to laugh it off and laugh at yourself, life will be way too difficult. I don’t have many physical limitations and if I’m wearing pants no one would ever know. I’ve gotten really good at telling truncated versions of my story on dates.” - Miami New Times - Lee Zimmerman

ARTIST: Maddy Ruff

ALBUM: “Over It”

With New York City singer-songwriter Maddy Ruff’s second release, it’s still all about the voice. So much so, the first 32 seconds are just her singing a cappella, vocal swoops and swirls that will make your head spin around.

In a good way.

Then “Hollow” kicks in with its driving beat and retro, yet modern feel.

It’s here you learn she doesn’t just have chops, but a deep well of emotion that informs each and every song.
The good news here is self-penned songs are as good as her voice.

“Roll” continues that vibe, with Ruff’s trademark bouncy phrasing. Sounding like a juicy, lost Stevie Wonder outtake, “It’s Alright With Me” (Cole Porter) begins with a slinky bass line by Andy Attanasio and features a fine solo from Christian Nourijanian and slippery sax from Micheal McGarril.

The slightly angry “Spinning” is a forceful rocker. In title-track “Over It,” she cleverly assigns numbers to disappointing ex-lovers. Another bass line powers “It’s You” and the chorus just heads skyward as Ruff simply soars. Torch song “Close The Door” takes it home with over-the-top jaw-dropping riffing, and a sizzling solo from guitarist Tim Basom.

“Over It” is a beautiful collection of songs by a spectacular, soulful singer.

Maybe I should also mention, Ruff is a two-time cancer survivor. Both Maddy and her music are a miracle.

Visit http://www.ruffsongs.com - David Malachowski

We’ve got the premiere of the new video from New York City-based singer-songwriter Maddy Ruff called Don’t Fall, which will appear on her upcoming release, Over It, dropping on September 15th.

“I thought I told ya not to fall in love with me.” That’s the advice Maddy Ruff would like to give you in the sassy, tongue-in-cheek lyrics to her debut music video “Don’t Fall.” The artist behind one of The Daily Freeman’s best regional albums of 2013, will release her hotly anticipated sophomore album,Over It on September 15th. The video, directed by Michael Oshins, features Ruff in a sexy, comically over-the-top mansion setting being waited upon by her silly young manservants, and pursued by yet another delectable, would be suitor.

Maddy Ruff has an interesting story, so sit back and listen to her story before you check out the new video:

Maddy Ruff is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter with the no-nonsense sass of a true New Yorker. A Broadway Baby, born and raised in Manhattan, Ruff’s musical influences come from all over the map. Ruff has a penchant for rock and roll, but it won’t surprise you that she has a background in both jazz and opera as well.

As frontwoman of her band The Ruff Riders, she draws comparisons to the emotional vocals and beefy musicality of Amy Winehouse and Fiona Apple. Ruff’s old school, bluesy vocals blended with modern writing create a truly unique sound.

Ruff was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 16, when a tumor was found in her left ankle. She ultimately won her year-long battle with cancer, but not before earning a few battle scars, including the amputation of her left leg.

While studying voice at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Maddy began penning fan- favorites like
“Close the Door” and “Don’t Fall”, the title track to her debut album. Her experiences during cancer treatment provided the inspiration for another favorite on the album: the emotionally charged “Tell Me Not to Worry”, which she began writing during a fever ridden drive to the hospital.

As a two-time cancer survivor and amputee, Ruff performs on a high-heeled prosthetic leg that she jokingly refers to as her “Barbie foot.” Ruff’s confidence, maturity, and sense of humor shine in her songs. The Daily Freeman counted Don’t Fall among the top ten regional albums of 2013. With her hotly anticipated follow-up album, Maddy makes one thing clear: whether it’s cancer or dating in New York, she’s Over It. - Kelly Murphy

You’ll be anything but “over it” with the release of Maddy Ruff’s sophomore CD. From the singer-songwriter who brought you, Don’t Fall, one of The Daily Freeman’s best regional albums of 2013 comes Over It, to be released on September 15, 2015. The release will be followed by a public concert at DROM NYC (85 Avenue A, New York, NY) on September 17, 2015.

Ruff is backed by her band The Ruff Riders, featuring Christian Nourijanian (keys) Andy Attanasio (bass) Tim Basom (guitar), and Goh Izawa (drums), with guests Barrett Johnson (back-up vocals), and Michael Mcgarril (saxophone). Benjamin Goldstein of indie folk band, Swear and Shake, and Ruff’s all around buddy, produced the project. The 8-track recording features 7 original songs written and arranged by Ruff, as well as her arrangement of the Cole Porter classic, “It’s Alright With Me.”


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4quuIXlsas - Skope

Artist: Maddy Ruff

Album: “Don’t Fall”

This talented New York City singer-songwriter and cancer survivor has an amazing story, and even better music, you will so love her. What a voice!

Visit www.ruffsongs.com/ - Daily Freeman Entertainment

By David Malachowski
ARTIST: Maddy Ruff
ALBUM: "Don't Fall"

With New York City singer-songwriter Maddy Ruff, it's all about the voice, from her gymnastic swoops and turns, to her uncanny conviction and infectious joy.

Her debut, "Don't Fall," kicks off with "Fantasy," as Ruff serpentines around a funky bass line with a rhythmic angular approach, all while divulging her deepest fantasies. "Don't Fall," has a dark undercurrent, as she warns a potential lover, "I'm just looking for a fling."

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The bluesy "Mississippi Mud" is a highlight, as is "Alone Again," a simple stunning ballad showing off her chops and depth.

Ruff shows more than promise -- she's already arrived, and it's just the world that needs to catch up.

Oh, maybe we should mention, her mom is Broadway star Nina Hennessy, she's 24 years old, a two-time cancer survivor and an amputee. So every bit of what you hear is a miracle, and even more impressive, and so much worth your attention.

Visit http://www.ruffsongs.com/ - Daily Freeman News

by Paulanne Simmons

Maddy Ruff, daughter of Broadway actress Nina Hennessey and stepdaughter of drummer Ray Marchica, is on the rise in the profession she grew up with. Ruff celebrated the release of her debut album, “Don’t Fall,” at the Iridium, backed by a terrific band of Christian Nourijanian on keyboards, Andy Attanasio on bass, Miles Nasta on drums and Tim Basom on guitar.

Ruff, who has an impressive vocal range and a powerful voice, performed both original songs and covers from her album. She is a composer with a sense of humor, as shown in “Mississippi Mud,” a song about a drink she ended up pouring down the sink. She also has a penchant for compositions that are “sexy” and “angry,” as proven by a host of songs, including “Close the Door” and “Alone Again,” the jazz ballad she claims to have started writing in the shower. Most of her songs fall into the jazz and blues category, but not all. “Jump with Me” has a definite Latin flavor.

Ruff’s covers tend toward original interpretations. One can only hope Britney Spears would enjoy her rendition of “Oops! I Did It Again” and Bonnie Raitt would appreciate Ruff’s “Love Me Like a Man.”

Toward the middle of the show, Ruff’s stepfather, drummer Ray Marchica, played “Comes Love,” a jazz standard written in 1939 by Sam H. Stept with lyrics by Lew Brown. Ruff’s own tune “Jump In With Me” was “the closest thing to a love song,” she had ever written.

But it was Ruff’s last number that had the biggest emotional effect on the audience. “Tell Me Not to Worry” has a haunting melody and deeply moving lyrics. It was written at the time Ruff, a cancer survivor and amputee, was undergoing surgery.

Without getting too sentimental, it is not only a pleasure to see such a passionate and talented young lady perform, it is also an inspiration to see how that talented young lady has held onto her dream despite adversity. - Time Square Chronicles