Camisha Ruffins, Bassist

RnB/soul

In Dallas with Kuumba Freeque & Co.

I have the pleasure to jam out with Kuumba Freeque, an uber-talented group that rocks out shows all over the place. Tonight we’re rocking out on the Christian tip for a change nevertheless a little secular isn’t so bad eh?

Last night we rehearsed with the entire band, preparing for tonight’s show at One Community Church in Plano, TX. Packed with me is the Fender Deluxe 24 and my trusty Sansamp DI beauty.

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The C.I.T.Y. takes the party downtown to Athens Lounge (5/16)

Taylor swift at the Toyota Center. Mingo Fishtrap and Tony Scalzo at Discovery Green…..and THE C.I.T.Y. staked their claim to bringing life to downtown last night!!!!

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http://heartofthecitylive.com/           http://www.soNtune.com           http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY          #wedontperformwePARTY


Bandtasticfour jams out at Zanzibar Houston (5/15)

Yep. It seems as if I’m becoming a regular at this establishment lol.

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The C.I.T.Y. brings the party back to Zanzibar (5/4)

On the same night as the entertaining Mayweather fight we still brought the party to the bare club. Whether two hundred or twenty we gave those few a show worthy for the masses to witness and the reception was likewise! We had them grooving in their seats, up dancing and singing-that’s dedication of a hungry audience!

 

http://heartofthecitylive.com/           http://www.soNtune.com          http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY          #wedontperformwePARTY


The C.I.T.Y. takes the party to TSU (5/3)

Friday afternoon around 4pm the CITY brought the party to the yards of TSU to entertain some music students, staff and faculty. They brought the barbecue and we obliged with the energy to party ad boy did they do so! Young and old, plate full of food or none many crowded before the CITY to enjoy the tunes and danced themselves into a tired stupor! Seriously we brought high energy to the gathering to the end and most who started dancing with us couldn’t hang (yeah that barbecue got em!). Good tunes. Good food. Good times.

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http://heartofthecitylive.com/           http://www.soNtune.com          http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY          #wedontperformwePARTY


The CITY shoots music videos

A MUST SEE!!!! FRESH OFF THE PRESS!!!!!

April 12. Rock Center. H-town. USA two music videos were captured. The C.I.T.Y.’s very own “Superbad” (will be released momentarily) and Chris Brown’s Fine China. Enjoy

RoCenter Sessions: “Fine China” performed by @_theCITY

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http://heartofthecitylive.com/           http://www.soNtune.com          http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY          #wedontperformwePARTY


The C.I.T.Y. comes to Zanzibar to party

The C.I.T.Y. left ATX to return home and party at Zanzibar Houston. Though the crowd wasn’t visually receptive as Austin’s free crowd but we left the set with them jumping and gyrating and wanting more. Hopefully the Houston crowds can be more open to groove during the set. Just saying.

We refreshed the set already blazing set with Bruno Mars’ “Locked out of Heaven” and continued to bring the energy til midnight when we were forced to acquiesce our space to the DJ’s reign for the night AWWWW SUCH TORTURE!!! It’s undeniable that we killed our set and plenty of peeps weren’t ready to dance to the DJ yet…you should’ve seen them sitting there and a few asked me “how long is your break?” PROOF that they appreciated our music and show…they just …didn’t…show it like the amazing cool folks in ATX…not to knock our H-TOWN folks but dance and show us some love rather than the emotionless Stepford wives facial expressions….yeah…expressionless, right?

Rihanna-Pour it up

Bruno Mars-Locked out of Heaven

 

http://heartofthecitylive.com/           www.soNtune.com           http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY

#wedontperformwePARTY


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SXSW invasion with The C.I.T.Y.

Saturday evening. ATX. aka Music Haven, TX.  SXSW [south-by-south-west] has taken over ATX [austin, tx] every Spring Break that i can recall, and it’s been fun AND stressful being one of many Many MANY  participants…to play in some venues planning comes in handy…PARKING can be a nightmare if you’re not sure of the location, timing, accessibility, etc….wow, i’ve just typed mad characters on a digression moment.

 

Soooooo, The C.I.T.Y. turned up Saturday night and turnedout the entire block, with devout C.I.T.Y.folk and newfound fans claiming to have witnessed one of the best shows out here this SXW…YES we came, we performed errrrrr PARTIED and conquered da block and left out like a couple of musical bandits.

 

Peep this article snippet from a pleased critic:

One band, The C.I.T.Y., who’s from Houston, TX and creating a buzz of their own around the city, shut down the whole block of Congress with their own performance segment in front of Ms. P’s Electric Cock at 1101 South Congress.  With their tunes mixed with funk, soul, r&b, hip hop, and even a little rock, The C.I.T.Y. showed Austin they were a force to be reckoned with as a crowd gathered on the block of all ages ranging from little kids to older adults who were all jamming and partying to the tunes.  “We don’t just perform, we party,” said RaShard, the lead singer of the band.  And they definitely started a block party on the Congress strip.

Read the rest of the article here: City Girl Magazine/s SXSW Recap

Just a snippet of what happened last Saturday night in ATX…enjoy AND LEARN THE MOVES TO THE SONG!!!!

 

http://heartofthecitylive.com/           www.soNtune.com           http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY

#wedontperformwePARTY


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the C.I.T.Y kicked off spring break in a live way

spring break kickoff. many showed up for ‘a good time’ and ended up partying like never before. we partied into the early morning with the livest music around that kept clubgoer’s feet in constant popping rhythm and a joy in their hearts

http://www.soNtune.com
TWITTER: @_theCITY
IG: @getNtune


Stony & Hemp Reunion at The Continental

every Wednesday at the continental the paul ramirez band takes the stage and murders the set EACH AND EVERY TIME!!! An it’s such an opportunity to break the melodic slaying for a group affectionately called “me+him+him+him” to give them a break…TRUST try need it if you can attest. More so it’s a privilege to jump on stage and jam with these solid playing fellas.

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boy what a day!!!

Like for many of you yesterday was a busy day. Add “lack of sleep” to the equation and understand how seriously busy it became. Other than struggling to stay awake so early in the AM til PM, gig rehearsal with Matthew Funches for some time (covering about 40 songs).

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Followed by another long rehearsal with bandtastic4 on the other side of town

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Upon leaving this rehearsal i stopped by The Renaissance Suite and immersed in the melodious scene.  What a time!


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The CITY performs at House of Dereon [HOU:TX]

February 20, 2013. All-Star Weekend 2013 is over [thank GOD!] now The C.I.T.Y. can perform in less hectic quarters like House of Dereon-Downtown HTX.  The weekly WordofMouf showcase hosted a plethora of talented poets, singers and musicians along with a few selections from The C.I.T.Y.  throughout the night.   Another successful invasion by the CITY occurred…again.

 

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http://heartofthecitylive.com/           www.soNtune.com           http://www.youtube.com/getntunetv           http://www.youtube.com/user/09TheCITY

#wedontperformwePARTY


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The C.I.T.Y. rehearses “Superbad”

Snippet of @_theCITY rehearsing “Superbad”

Axe: MTD KZX

Rig: Ampeg BA-12


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“Da Butt” with The C.I.T.Y. at Prive

Here’s a hyped snippet from a gig with @_the CITY at Prive [Houston] on December 14. Enjoy!

http://heartofthecitylive.com/

 

Axe: MTD 635

Rig: Ampeg BA-15


The C.I.T.Y. Auditions on the Urban Television Network

Earlier today The C.I.T.Y. reconvened for a talent audition on the Urban Television Network (HOU:TX). Consisting of:
•Drums
•keys
•bass
•guitar
•trombone
•saxophone
•vocals (mics, speaker)

Our bodies and equipment occupied much of the tiny space allotted for this brief audition BUT being over prepared has its perks. The judges and company weren’t prepared for our artistic and physical capacity but were astounded by our performance and ease of adjustment. More to come in the future so stay tuned.

Check out some footage


“Hair of the Dawg” party

Last night Davi J and the Truth started off the 3rd annual “hair of the dawg” party. Following our early performance the Bourbon St. Band changed the atmosphere from Motown soul to that good ole New Orleans sound that moved everyone to passé around…and the alcohol helped a little too.

MTD 635 through a Peavey road ready rig.

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Gig with Matthew Funches

Last night Matthew Funches trio jammed at Phil & Derek’s wine bar in Houston,TX. A mélange of sorts, reggae, jazz, R&B with a panache of rock warmed the room on this cold night.

Amp: Ampeg BA-15
Axe: MTD 635


Christmas play near Christmas day!

Tonight at First Metropolitan Church is the last show for the this highly anticipated Christmas play.

Saturday’s show: MTD 635 through an Eden Setup
Sunday’s show: MTD KZX through an Eden Setup


Dulché Soul at Harlem Nights

Dulché Soul made it feel like the Cotton Club tonight! we balanced out the show with straight-ahead jazz and set the seductive atmosphere as people dressed the…especially the burlesque dancers. It was a great show!

On the Facebook fan page a fan even wrote:

Once again!!!! To show up and show out. You guys ate truly amazing. God blessed each one of u with a great talent and knowing a few of u and how humble u guys r states even more. Looking forward to seeing this group grow and prosper cause y’all r FIYAH!!!

 

 

 

 


Gig with The C.I.T.Y.

Goodbye Miami. Hello money. Within a day of returning to work I’ve jammed with The C.I.T.Y. We rehearsed on Thursday night from 10pm-midnight annnnnnd we rocked the show within the next next 18 hours. These guys are top notch performers. I’m glad I put in time on the beach to study the set list because everything went efficiently. Check out the footage below:

 

Merry Christmas Baby-live at Next Level Lounge

 

Axe: Fender 24 Deluxe

Rig: Ampeg BA-15


Jack Freeman at the Continental Club (HOU)

Tonight Jack Freeman opens up for Akina Adderley and the Vintage Playboys second album release.

Jack Freeman hit the stage hard with his crooner style swooning the ladies (and the fellas as good sports) for a solid 45 minutes.

[amp: MarkBass III head & 4×10 cab axe: Fender Deluxe 24]

Akina Adderley and the Vintage Playboys are playing from 10-midnight. Hailing from Austin, TX they’ve traveled “far” to bring some awesome music.

Backing up Akina is an 8 piece band with a tight sound:

•Brass (alto sax & trumpet)
•Guitars (rhythm & lead)
•Bass guitar
•Drums & percussion (bongos, tambourine, etc.)
•Keys (Nord board)

Tonight AAVP played hits off of their debut album as well as fresh cuts off of their recent album drop “Say Yes”

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Music therapy

What was a typical thanksgiving day for many was an atypical one for me to say the least. Wednesday night my father in law was rushed to the hospital and we witnessed his life diminish over the course of the American turkey day. Words, turkey nor dressing couldn’t soften the devastating blow I was experiencing…I guess it’s an inevitable first for me.

Today as I let tears flow I managed to pull out some axes and went shedding for relief. I gotta praise Him anyhow, right? So a 2 nonstop turned into an hour of praise and worship in the company of one. It was necessary. Anyways, some concepts have developed from this brief musical moment and eventually will be shared in a more polished package.


Dulche Soul on Alternative Scream TV

Well, after much anticipation it’s that time where such efforts have been realized….whose you ask? Dulche Soul of course [refer back to Dulche’s live television debut! ]!!! More videos to come. Dulche Soul on Alternative Scream TV.


Rehearsing with J Davey and the truth

I absolutely enjoy sight reading! Preparing yourself for the unknown (lovely oxymoron), always expecting to sweat it out and plunge through the notes @ 180bpm with a high expectancy of error and slight chance of true success…and there’s conspicuous leniency for minor mess ups just because.

So far, auditioning and rehearsing with J Davey and the Truth has been all sight reading due to a copying/dissemination situation with super large manuscript paper…oh well, I’m quite pleased with executing my part on sheer faith and a serious case of BS…quite convincing.

Supposedly next week the issue should be rectified (I DO like to be prepared), but I’m down with a rehearsal session of sight reading.

Axe: MTD635hybrid
Rig: behringer head/GK cab