Le Boeuf Brothers / Mike Ruby Quintet August 5, 2009

The Le Boeuf Brothers Biography

Remy and Pascal Le Boeuf (saxophone and piano) are part of a growing New York jazz scene characterized by odd time signatures, alternative rock, and the influences of artists such as Radiohead, Brian Blade and Kurt Rosenwinkel. What makes the 22-year-old Le Boeuf Brothers sparkle among other young jazz musicians is their uncanny ability to communicate with each other using their own secret musical language. This isn't surprising when you discover that Pascal and Remy Le Boeuf are identical twins.

In their short musical career, the Le Boeuf Brothers (pronounced "le buff") have garnered an impressive tally of national and international awards and accomplishments, the most notable being the ASCAP/IAJE Commission honoring Quincy Jones, which premiered at the 2004 IAJE conference and featured tenor saxophonist Chris Potter. The Le Boeuf Brothers have also received awards from Downbeat Magazine, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and dominated the 2006 Independent Music Awards, winning Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Song for their prior release “Migration”. Most recently, the track "Code Word" on their new album "House Without A Door" received 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition.

Upon graduating from the Manhattan School of Music in 2007, Remy and Pascal made the difficult decision to separate for a year. Pascal explains, "we decided it would be best for the two of us to pursue our individual interests for a year and share our knowledge with each-other upon reuniting." This gave Remy the opportunity to develop multiple projects incorporating 20th century classical composition, while allowing Pascal a chance to travel around the U.S. and Canada, writing and collaborating with various artists for a soon to be released rock/electronica album under the alias "iPascal".

The Le Boeuf Brothers have since reunited to record their most recent album "House Without A Door." Described by the New York Times as an “impressively self assured new album… which reaches for the gleaming cosmopolitanism of our present era.” "It showcases their evermore-confident composing. While half of the album features a tough, young rhythm section of their musical peers, the other half finds the twins keeping company with stellar New York cats like drummer Clarence Penn, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland." (Monterey County Weekly).

Pascal describes ‘House without a Door’ as “an attempt to create the perfect balance between intellect and emotion. After spending time apart working on contemporary classical composition and rock/electronica individually, it made sense for us to combine forces on this album." These influences shine on tracks such as Remy's "Tabula Rasa," a thru-composed maze of colorful saxophone arpeggio's resembling Claude Debussy and Miguel Zenon, and Pascal's "Wetaskiwin," a dreamlike hymn clearly influenced by Radiohead. "Our hope is that by connecting with our own personal emotions through music, we can connect with our audience."

For More Information – www.lbjazz.com

Mike Ruby
Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, Michael was born in Toronto in 1987 and is now living in New York City. Michael started playing the alto saxophone at the age of fourteen, influenced by Charlie Parker. He immediately started to study alto saxophone with Alex Dean. At seventeen, Michael knew his career path, and started to play tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Michael went to the Humber community music program in his last two years of high school, where he had instruction from Michael Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, and other esteemed musicians. Before entering into university, Michael was already becoming internationally recognized, being awarded with a downbeat jazz magazine award for outstanding performance on the tenor saxophone, the Humber College Community Jazz Program Woodwind and musicianship Awards, and was selected to play with the Yamaha/Canada All Star Jazz Band.
In 2006 Michael attended the University of Toronto on three merit based scholarships. That summer, he attended the Banff International Jazz Orchestra directed by Hugh Fraser and the Jazz Workshop directed by Dave Douglas.
In 2007, Michael moved to New York City where he was awarded with the President's Award to study at the Manhattan School of Music. Michael is already building a reputation in New York, playing gigs around Manhattan as a sideman, and touring with bands such as the Ari Hoenig Quartet and the Le Boeuf Brothers.
Michael has studied privately with John Riley, Miguel Zenon, Mark Turner, Dave Douglas, Steve Wilson, and Donny McCaslin, amongst others. He has played and shared the stage with such notables as Hermeto Pascoal, Ari Hoenig, Chucho Valdes, and many others.
Most recently, Michael was the winner of Jazz FM's Project Jazz Award, which provides Michael a contract with Alma Records. Jazz FM will promote the CD in stores and on air, and both Jazz FM and Alma Records/Universal Music will fund, promote, and direct this project. The CD entitled Play Time is available at all record stores in Canada, and will be released internationally in the fall of 2008.

"Mike Ruby exhibits impressive command of his instrument. …good writing and execution. The quicksilver ease with which he navigates through the theme of 'The Wait' is enviable.
Downbeat Magazine