Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play featuring Joel Brown and Peter Madcat Ruth

“It all fits together because of the talent and taste of the musicians, who groove no matter what they’re doing—and it’s tremendous fun, to boot.” — All About Jazz

Chris Brubeck's Triple Play is the name given to three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter Madcat Ruth (on harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion & vocals), Joel Brown, (folk and classical acoustic guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano & vocals).

With a rich musical history spanning decades, these three have deep roots in American music. Chris Brubeck and Madcat Ruth began playing together in the late 1960s,first as young rock musicians in the group “New Heavenly Blue” (with albums on RCA and Atlantic Records), “Sky King”(on Columbia), and then as jazz musicians touring the world with Dave Brubeck.

Chris went on to form the group Crofut & Brubeck with the uniquely talented banjo player  Bill Crofut and also featured Joel on guitar.  A highly unusual and critically acclaimed CD, “Across Your Dreams” (Telarc) featuring famous mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade singing  songs written by Chris, Dave & Iola Brubeck. 

Their next project was the recording of the acclaimed “Bach to Brubeck” (Koch International Classics) at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Sadly, Bill Crofut passed away in 1999, and Madcat joined Chris and Joel to form the group Triple Play.   The trio blends folk, blues, jazz, and classical influences into performances that feel both deeply rooted and refreshingly spontaneous.

Expect dazzling musicianship, harmonica, guitar, bass, trombone, piano, percussion, and vocals, woven together with warmth, humor, and a genuine love of the music. Their repertoire spans original compositions, inventive arrangements, and the kind of genre-defying interplay that keeps audiences leaning in.

Critics have praised their recordings for their “top-notch musicianship, potent originals, and a touch of humor,” while live audiences know them for something even more powerful: the feeling of three musicians completely in sync, creating music that is as joyful as it is masterful.

SAMPLE SONG

From concert halls to festivals like the Monterey Jazz Festival, Triple Play continues to delight audiences across the country. Theirs is a sound that celebrates the full range of American musical tradition.  

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