GET TO KNOW
RUTHIE PRICE

March 21, 2017 | by SF Education

In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to better acquaint you with one of the Bay Area’s major drum talents and an upcoming performer in SFJAZZ's Discover Jazz series. Ruthie Price was a member of the fourth cohort of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Big Band, back in the seminal years of the program, and attended Skyline High School in Oakland. After moving to LA to attend school, Ruthie toured West Africa with the Jazz & Democracy Project, an arts-integrated curriculum that interprets democracy through the metaphor of jazz. Most recently, Ruthie has been lending her talents to the acclaimed Fox series, “Empire,” and to NPR’s “Tiny Desk” concert series with Grammy Winning artist Fantastic Negrito.

We caught up with Ruthie before she joined SFJAZZ’s spring Discover Jazz series, “The Great Jazz Women,” on March 29th with special guest, Tia Fuller. 

Tell us what you were listening to that drew you toward drums as your instrument.

“My attraction to the drums started at the age of five while attending church. I would sit next to the hi-hat as a little girl, and by the age of six my mother got me a drum kit and my musical journey began.”

Who were your icons, not only sonically but in terms of their ethic and style?

“Donald Bailey Sr. was my first drum teacher who also introduced me to jazz. By the age of eight, I was playing at local jazz jam sessions and youth programs throughout the bay. In addition, I’ve definitely been influenced by Sheila E, Cindy Blackman, Art Blakey, Toni Williams, Elvin Jones, Bernard Purdie, and Clyde Stubberfield.”

What major take-aways do you hope Discover Jazz audiences glean from SFJAZZ's "Great Jazz Women" series?

“I hope people gain knowledge about women and their contribution to jazz through SFJAZZ’s program, encouraging them to create new music and inspire other artists.”