Bruiser And The Virtues

The house of blues has a lot of nooks and crannies after all these years, and Bruiser and the Virtues live in the party room. Shunning the power-trio fad, the band returns to earlier, bigger forms: jump blues, hot swing, and all the other dance-oriented genres that flowed into what was then called “race music.”

Performing a mix of original compositions and classic tunes from Americans icons such as Louis Jordan and T-Bone Walker, Bruiser and the Virtues are guaranteed to get the crowd off their rear and onto the dance floor. Then, with the timing born of years of onstage experience, they’ll slow it down with a smoky torch song, a slow blues, or a smooth ballad to let the people get cozy with each other—or drink some beer.

Their debut CD, From Vice to Virtue (and Vice Versa), showcases Bruiser’s writing talents and the band’s considerable musical talent. With ten original songs and touches of everything from jump to jazz, mambo to Mississippi blues, it’s guaranteed to please.

The house party starts when these six sharp-dressed cats hit the stage and rip into a fast-as-lightning instrumental, and it doesn’t stop until the last encore. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what others have to say:

“Outstanding jump, blues, and swing musicians . . . flying with excitement”

(James Walker, The Hub ).

“It’s hard not to get caught up in the fun. The musicality of the band is unquestionable and impressive”

(Cody Sokolski, the Champaign-Urbana Octopus).

“The band’s debut disc . . . admirably tills the fertile soil of a genre steeped in the American jazz, swing, and blues tradition and is a noteworthy addition to any record collection”

(Don Gerard, the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette).

“I really like the fact that your band sounds more like the vintage 40’s and 50’s T-bone and Wynonie Harris, etc. than Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I really like your original material. It has a familiar feel to it but is also fresh and you cover a very nice range of styles that appeal to a bigger audience. Bruiser, both CD’s are just great.

(Marty Bryduck – Drummer for Rockin Daddy and the Rough Cuts, Minneapolis, MN)

“Bruiser and The Virtues: The jazzier side of Bruce “Bruiser” Rummenie… wonderfully concocted songs in the way of classic dance band tunes; this band sports two saxophone players, upright bass, and Bruiser on a big fat electric archtop guitar. This band is precious and awesome.”

(OpeningBands.com)

“Bruiser and the Virtues – a band after my own heart doing T Bone and Louis Jordan stuff…You guys were pretty much my favorite band at the International Blues Challenge…”

(Jimi Hocking, winner of the IBC individual competition 2005)

“I can’t stop raving about your performance on Friday. Your band was truly one of the best in Memphis…”

(James Edwards, Austin TX)

“The sun has seemingly come out from behind the clouds to shine brilliantly upon the Cisco Illinois residence of one Mrs. Audrey (“Momma”) Pirtle, as she’s a-tappin her foot away and diggin’ those kool kats called Bruiser and the Virtues! Her rockin’ chair is at full speed ahead, as her faith in music, energies of the past, and hopes for the future of mankind have been fully restored: “Oh myyy…they ARRRRE gooooood!….”

(Gary G)