"Keenan's debut record leaves an enormous grin on my face, which is attributed to the music being truly refreshing and
genuine. I hear certain influences, but it's not obvious and that high level of originality is a beautiful thing. The record is
full of gorgeous melodies and landscapes within pieces like Opening Credits, j******* (BLOODLETTER) and
SOMETHING FOR LAILA, energetic and intense improvisations throughout, and exciting compositions that create a
desire to hear more from Keenan after this debut. Gatekeepers: Pay Attention!"
- Noah Preminger
"Effortlessly connecting and connectioning. His music is where I hope music is going: the world will find his work"
- Alexandra du Bois, Ph.D. Department Chair of Composition and Theory at the Longy School of Music of Bard College
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"Keenan's debut record leaves an enormous grin on my face, which is attributed to the music being truly refreshing and
genuine. I hear certain influences, but it's not obvious and that high level of originality is a beautiful thing. The record is
full of gorgeous melodies and landscapes within pieces like Opening Credits, j******* (BLOODLETTER) and
SOMETHING FOR LAILA, energetic and intense improvisations throughout, and exciting compositions that create a
desire to hear more from Keenan after this debut. Gatekeepers: Pay Attention!"
- Noah Preminger
"Effortlessly connecting and connectioning. His music is where I hope music is going: the world will find his work"
- Alexandra du Bois, Ph.D. Department Chair of Composition and Theory at the Longy School of Music of Bard College
"A big and bold statement from an up and coming guitarist/composer that I have been following for some time now.
Keenan Ruffin should be proud of this highly individual and very personal project. Congratulations!"
- Gregg Belisle-Chi
“Keenan Ruffin’s music makes me feel like I’m wearing a dapper suit, but I’m hanging out in the Foot Clan’s awesome
graffiti skatepark lair from the 1990 live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. A young Sam Rockwell asks me if
I’d prefer regular or menthol, to which I reply ‘normally, regular of course, but tonight my friend, enjoying this music…I
will take a menthol.’ Also Charles Ives and Benny Golson are there, and they’re loving it.“
- Chris Klaxton
"Keenan and I share the same rhythm section, Zak King and Scott Kiefner. The best musicians in the world! Keenan has
educated and prepared himself to become the guitarist he is today, someone very well-liked by the musicians that
surround him. I continue to hear only wonderful things about him! Recently, I heard his music. I like his sound on the
guitar! It invites you to listen more of it. It makes me listen far into the future and imagine how he will continue to
evolve and shred! How he will continue to impact the guitar world! Take a listen and enjoy his playing as much as I do."
- Javier Rosario
First Michel Camilo Scholarship winner
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