Album Notes

Matthew Brian Ruddy was born in the Pacific Northwest and raised near Pittsburgh. He spent 7 years as a public school music teacher, "MistaRuddy", in New York City where he began a band and percussion program with a grant from VH1’s “Save the Music” foundation and was later recognized as an Exemplary Arts Educator by the NYC Board of Education. He spent two years as an Associate Course Director of Music History at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida

As a freelance percussionist he has performed with orchestras at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Off Broadway musicals, as well as appearances with Quincy Jones, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Bakithi Kumalo.

In his own words....

“I've been a late bloomer in many ways but it seems like things are starting to come around. For as much as I enjoy words and sounds, I worry about wasting them too. I'll stick up for necessary antagonism but incessant reduction makes a lot of messes. I've made a few. But I believe people want their music to be honest, real, and sincere. It should feel right and sound good, especially live. I'm glad to be part of that anywhere and anyway I can.” - Matthew Brian Ruddy - "MistaRuddy"