'the adventurous label'
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD

Welcome to Rufus Records

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Welcome to Rufus Records...

"Curiosity may kill the cat but it hasn't had its way yet.

Rufus arose through a nosey inquiry during a set break, circa 1990, about Wanderlust's recordings. I was excited by the clear, personal musical statements, strong and compelling, sinuous, sensuous, flavoured, the more so as I had only recently stumbled upon live jazz, any jazz for that matter. The intensity of response matched the intensity of surprise when I discovered that there were no recordings and no real plans.

(NB: Alcohol may have been involved.) Further questions ('Nosey Parker' was a serious contender for this jazz label's name) kept that curiosity alive, in fact, inflamed it. Having some organisational skills I really wanted to help to get this music around. This is surely what energises small labels all around the world.

That recording was a long time in coming to Rufus, but that's life. A host of other musical expressions was ready to welcome it into the fold - a characterful mix of styles, modern and contemporary jazz, blues and r'n'b, world music, performance poetry and new music, pop/rock with Iraqi elements - so much originality, risky self expression.

Welcome to Rufus. I'm a punter who has been seduced by these sounds. Perhaps you may be, too.

PS I must confess Rufus Records was not named after a jazz or blues musician. The inspiration was a spirited farm cat, pure ginger, who, in turn, was named after Rufus the Red, English Royal, circa 11th-12th century of the AD, who was famously shot with an arrow in a forest (not anatomical). He did not survive. Unlike his namesake, the feline was less famous for his encounters with his feral cousins in the Australian tall timber. He was shot for his troubles by his owner, but survived. I hope I do."

New Releases for 2008

Wanderlust 'When In Rome'

Tim Stevens Trio 'Mickets'

Don't forget:

Our 'Great Moments in Jazz' quotes page is constantly updated...

Artist profiles

by John Clare et al

Please note - this site is updated constantly. If you have comments or feedback, please contact us!

president@rufusrecords.com.au