Downtown Sound: Peter Madcat Ruth's CARMa Quartet

Peter Madcat Ruth’s CARMa Quartet is a powerhouse ensemble of veteran Michigan musicians who blend eclectic traditional and improvisational music with dazzling artistry. Led by Grammy Award–winning harmonica virtuoso Peter Madcat Ruth—also a gifted singer and multi-instrumentalist—the group draws on blues, American roots, folk, jazz, and world traditions. Joining him are Grammy-winning tabla player John Churchville, whose mastery of Indian percussion bridges cultures; bassist Brennan Andes, a longtime force in Ann Arbor’s music scene known for his infectious groove and collaborative spirit; and guitarist Dan Ripke, a seasoned performer and educator with a deep love for fusing genres from folk to funk to world music. Together, the CARMa Quartet creates performances that are adventurous, soulful, and joyfully unbounded by style.

CARMa
C is for John Churchville (tabla drum set)
A is for Brennan Andes (bass)
R is for Dan Ripke (guitar and vocals)
Ma is for Peter Madcat Ruth (harmonica, ukulele, jaw harp, kalimba, and vocals)

"Madcat has got to be one of the greatest jazz soloists in terms of getting an audience. He's got that magical quality. It doesn't matter if he's playing a hoe-down kind of thing that evolves into a blues and pretty soon into jazz. Audiences here and overseas go with him all the way. He's into music without categories."
~ Dave Brubeck

"A harmonica virtuoso rapidly approaching legend status for his style."
~ Performance Magazine

"By any standard, Peter Ruth must be considered one of the greatest harmonica players of all time. His virtuosity on the diatonic harp is simply amazing!"
~ Richard Hunter, author of Jazz Harp, Oak Publications