Bristol-based Ruzz Evans is all about keeping Blues planted in its roots. This means a wailing guitar and rugged voice backed by a big ol’ horn section. A Gretsch Guitars endorsee, an accomplished Blues player, a band manager and leader, and a lover of all things Bluesy, Ruzz isn’t about the pentatonics and twelve-bars — he’s about the feel, the thrill, and standing on stage next to his guitar idols. A fantastic and inspiring interview – read on…

Hello, Ruzz! Tell the world about yourself. How did you grow up to become the musician you are today?

I grew up with music always in the house, mainly Blues and roots music from my dad. I just sat down and learnt as much as I possibly could from bands like Dr Feelgood, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and listening to as many different genres as I possibly could. I just wanted to soak up as much as I could and blend it together into what I love, that’s how I developed what I’m doing now with my band.

Introduce your current musical projects and tell us what makes each one special for you!

I’m really only doing one now and some work around my solo project. My main project is Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue. I was playing in many different bands over the years and decided that to be able to do what I want with my career, I needed to put together my own band. Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue enables me to play all the music based within Blues that I love, blending everything together with a horn section, keys, or just as a trio. It really enables me to put on a different show every time depending on the line-up and keeps everything fresh and exciting. I love this project because it’s all me, it’s all the music I’ve always loved. I don’t feel that I have any restrictions with this band, I can go from straight up Blues to Rockabilly to Soul and so on and it all works together. I’ve never loved anything that I’ve done as much as I love this project!

You have been playing music for a long while! How do you find the drive and inspiration to keep going all this time?

It’s really the only thing that has felt right to me. Since I started playing I’ve not been able to think about anything else. With my project I’m in complete control. I’ve achieved so much with this band in the short four years that I’ve been working on it and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon! I have so much planned for the future. I think that’s the key to keeping focused and on track, have future plans!

What draws you to playing the guitar?

I just love how it feels and sounds. I started playing bass guitar and drums before I picked up the six-string. I remember seeing George Thorogood & The Destroyers in my hometown with my dad when I was 14 and knowing from that moment that this is what I wanted to do — I wanted to be a full time musician and I wanted to play guitar. It’s really the only instrument that has truly spoken to me.

How is band management nowadays? Any stories about your work that you’d like to share?

Band management is started to get harder and harder to keep up with as there is so much going on, but I love it. I love being in control of my career. Tour booking, song-writing, promotion, recording etc… I love being able to create what I want to create and not have anyone tell me otherwise. I work closely with my bassist Joe Allen for a lot of stuff and I really value his opinion and advice. He’s been through this before and knows what needs to be done, but never tries to steer me away from my ultimate plans.

How did you get endorsed by Gretsch guitars? What’s the story?

I still feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Gretsch family, a family that includes many of my heroes like Brian Setzer, Duane Eddy, Reverend Horton Heat etc. I was lucky to have been booked for a show in Holland with another one of my heroes from Canada, Paul Pigat of Cousin Harley. He’s also a fellow Gretsch family member. We were booked by a mutual friend for this street party happening in Breskens NL. After the show, and getting to sit in with his band and jam with him, we were talking and the subject came up about my dream of being an endorsed artist for Gretsch Guitars. A few days later we were exchanging messages and he informed me that he had dropped my name into Gretsch. A few years later, after I started my own band, I made contact with Joe Carducci of Gretsch Guitars and expressed my interest in being part of the Gretsch Family. He replied to my email and within two days of the original email I was officially endorsed. Since then my career has started taking off faster than I could have imagined… I’ve had the opportunity to play in the U.S with some of my heroes, I’ve met and worked with more of my heroes in my own country and had more show opportunities sent my way. Things are looking better and better every day and I can’t thank Gretsch enough for everything they do for me…

How is your local music scene in your perspective? Do you feel like you belong there?

The local music scene in Bristol is pretty good. Plenty of gigs for covers bands and solo artists with backing tracks… as for original bands, there are plenty of top quality venues to put on shows but the smaller pub gigs for original bands are few and far between. Do I feel like I belong here?….. In one word no. I’ve been pushing my music in the UK for a few years and now and it’s slowly beginning to be noticed BUT after only two visits to the U.S, my music and reputation has shot up in popularity and starting to overtake the UK. The Blues scene in the UK seems very much a Blues Rock scene… I’m doing more traditional Blues with the horn section etc. The UK doesn’t seem to be interested right now but the U.S does! That’s where I’m aiming myself for the time being. I’ve got the support of Gretsch Guitars and many of my American heroes over there in the states, so that’s where I’m going.

What is your all-time favorite record and how did it change you as an artist?

I don’t know about an all-time favorite record, but anything from The Brian Setzer Orchestra. I’ve been a huge fan of Brian Setzer since hearing the Stray Cats, once I heard his Orchestra I knew exactly what I wanted my solo band to sound like. I also saw another big hero of mine, Jimmie Vaughan, live in London in 2014 which quickly helped to cement in my head where I wanted to take my band. It’s that big horn section and my guitar playing. In the last two years I have created that line-up and done a few gigs and festivals with it. It’s when I’m at my happiest live…

What are your favorite software and hardware tools for music production?

In all honesty I don’t really use any software or hardware at home for music production. If I’m planning a new album I go to Bink Bonk Studios in Bristol and work with a close friend of mine and my bassist. He’s been in the music industry for many years and knows what he is doing. The products are always incredibly professional sounding, I love working there!

Out of all the live shows you played, which one was the most memorable, and why?

I think the most memorable show to date would be when I got to jam with Paul Pigat (Cousin Harley) and Kid Ramos (Hollywood Fats, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) during my last trip to the U.S for NAMM 2018. To stand on stage with two of my heroes and play my guitar, which I learnt from stealing their licks, was a dream come true!

What is your biggest musical goal?

To receive the respect of more of my heroes, do my bit to keep traditional Blues alive, and keep regularly gigging as a professional musician. I have no dreams of being rich and famous, just successful in what I love to do and to be able to keep doing it as a living.

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

It’s helped me connect with new people within the industry, meet more players and friends, and share my music with more people. I really like the site!