Peggy Ratusz
It Takes a Lot of Faith
Blues Chanteuse Peggy Ratusz is a Soulfilled, Swingin' Jump, Jive and "ruby throated" vocalist.
Way under the radar is where I’ve been for many years. It’s made me street smart and broke, but still doing what I love to do. Perform with my voice.
“Everything” has always been the answer to the question when people ask me, “What kind of music have you performed?” To that end, you’ll find this CD to be a crazy-wonderful hodge-podge of “adult contemporary” blues, jive, jazz, pop and soul.
It all started out in Columbus Ohio where I came up with 7 other siblings listening to everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Rock Operas, from Jackson Browne to the Jackson Five, from Jefferson Airplane to Mel Torme, from Ray Charles to Linda Ronstadt. In the late 70’s I moved to Tucson Arizona where I found myself and then later lost myself in the wonderful harmonies and strums of folk music. Austin Texas beckoned me in 1985 where I met someone called a bass player and his cohort they called a drummer. And together they were a band within a band who everyone around referred to as A RHYTHM SECTION! I fell in love with the blues, baby. And now, it’s Asheville North Carolina where I shake rattle and roll my way around hot buttered blues, cheezey popcorn songs, sultry sonnets and juicy jazz tunes.
I wrote the song A ROOM FULL OF BLUES for my comrades, my soul brothers, my friends you’ll hear on the CD as follows: My stepson, Ryan Holgerson is the guitarist and be forewarned that “after you get a whiff of his savory riff, you’ll be sniffin’ out the blues all year.” And then there’s Wayne, Git ‘er done Cox who’s the “thumpin bass-aholic.” “He’s rippin’ a low, moan and a grown.” It’s true “his prowess really sets him apart.” Perry, Main-Man Hines is “the drummer in the pocket at my house.” North Carolinians testify there’s “nobody better for miles around.” And as guest keyboard player on the CD, you’ll hear my friend, my buddy, my pal and fellow CD Baby Alumnus, Patrick Boland, AKA “master ebony and ivory keys.” It’s no wonder “they call him Mr. Expertise.”
Western North Carolina gives me; the one they call “blues mama” and "ruby throated" a platform to dip into all the musical styles from my inspired past while incorporating my own material influenced by it, as I come around full circle with a full-bodied repertoire.
I hope you’ll welcome me into your library of music. I’d be honored if you did.
Jazz: Jive