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Charles Ruggiero

Charles Ruggiero was born to be a drummer. The son of world renowned jazz musician Vinnie Ruggiero, Charles spent his early years surrounded by the "who's who" of Jazz. There was always music around, and with musicians like Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Jon Hendricks coming to spend time and play, it was only a matter of time before he caught the bug and asked his father to play the "bang-bangs".

As a teen Charles got serious about drumming, playing anywhere he could. He knew he was onto something when other high schools, local colleges, professional theatre groups and popular local bands throughout western N.Y. started to hire him. After a knock out audition won him seat in the New York State All State Jazz Ensemble, every music college in the U.S. came calling. When Manhattan School of Music offered a full scholarship and a chance to study with famed jazz educator Justin DiCioccio, Charles jumped at the chance. His time at MSM proved invaluable. New York City in the early 90's was alive with jazz, and he was cutting his teeth with current jazz luminaries Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, Ryan Kisor, Stefon Harris, Brad Mehldau, Myron Walden, Chris Potter, and Dwayne Burno, to name a few.

In 1993, Charles landed the gig with Chuck Mangione, touring with the jazz superstar for the next 4 years. After leaving Mangione's band, Charles played in various projects, concentrating on small group jazz again. He could be found in and around NYC playing drums nightly at Smoke, Smalls, The Blue Note, Cleopatra's Needle, et al, with the likes of Phil Harper, Eric Alexander, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Frank Wess, Wayne Escoffery, Jeremy Manasia, Grant Stewart, Joel Frahm, Jane Monheit, Jeremy Pelt, Spike Wilner... and the list goes on, and on... and on.

At the end of the year 2000, former MTV/VH1 vee-jay, Abby Gennet, asked Ruggiero to play on a demo of a few of her songs, and the rock-n-roll band SLUNT was born. The band's rise was quick. In only their second year they were on tour with Marilyn Manson. The following years found them on tour with Motorhead, Drowning Pool, and Paul Stanley (KISS) as well as releasing two albums on Reposession Records. After SLUNT Charles found himself on Ozzy Ozbourne's Ozzfest tour, replacing drummer Matt Sorum (Guns and Roses/Velvet Revolver) as a member of Circus Diablo - a band which also featured Billy Duffy (The Cult) Brett Scallions (FUEL) Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) and Ricky Warwick (The Almighty).

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Album Review

Doug MacDonald: Sextet Session

Read "Sextet Session" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Guitarist Doug MacDonald records albums like someone who is either making up for lost time or does not have much time to spare. According to his discography, Sextet Session is at least the thirty-second album MacDonald has led or co-led, almost half of which have been released in the past couple of years or so. To keep things fresh, MacDonald has performed with almost every size group from big band to duo, but not often with as sharp and experienced ...

6
Album Review

Doug Webb: The Message

Read "The Message" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


The trappings of The Message, tenor saxophonist Doug Webb's eleventh release for Posi-Tone Records, are perhaps recognizable to anyone with an interest in jazz conventions. All hands, except for drummer Charles Ruggiero, contribute at least one composition. While some are more adventurous (tenor saxophonist Bob Reynolds' “Where Did You Come From?," and alto saxophonist Greg Osby's “Nekide") than others (Webb's “Caught In The Webb" and organist Brian Charette's “Bonnie Lass"), there is nothing here that pushes the envelope or prompts ...

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Album Review

Charles Ruggiero & Hilary Gardner: Play The Bird And The Bee

Read "Play The Bird And The Bee" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


If you've encountered drummer Charles Ruggiero's debut, Boom Bang, Boom Bang! (Rondette Jazz, 2014), you might've seen this coming. There, in the penultimate spot on the playlist, is a cover of The Bird and the Bee's “I'm A Broken Heart" featuring vocalist Hilary Gardner. Something of an outlier on the album, it hinted at a great appreciation for the sharp lyrics and artful designs responsible for that indie synth-pop duo's acclaim. That small seed of possibility, pointing ...

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Album Review

Charles Ruggiero: Boom Bang, Boom Bang!

Read "Boom Bang, Boom Bang!" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Though jazz drummer Charles Ruggiero has made many recordings as a sideman over the last twenty-five years, he makes his long-awaited debut with Boom Bang, Boom Bang!, paying a tribute of sorts to Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, two of his favorite jazz artists. Growing up with the sounds of the flute and the Fender Rhodes, it was only natural that he decides to make his first recording effort using these voices and not make an album with a “drummy" ...

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Recording

Charles Ruggiero Releases "As Heard On TV"

Charles Ruggiero Releases "As Heard On TV"

Source: Tapping PR

Rondette Jazz announces second solo album from drummer Charles Ruggiero, As Heard On TV. On October 16, As Heard On TV will be available through Rondette Jazz on CD and via digital download on iTunes. Limited edition vinyl will also be available. A CD release party will be held Friday, October 9 at Smalls Jazz Club (NYC), sets at 7:30pm and 9:00pm. A direct follow up to his 2014 premiere solo album, “Boom Bang, Boom Bang!," Ruggiero along with regular ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sextet Session

Self Produced
2024

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LaFaro

Be Squared Productions
2024

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The Message

Posi-Tone Records
2022

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As Heard On TV

Rondette Jazz
2015

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What Is This Thing Called Love

From: LaFaro
By Charles Ruggiero

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