F E A T U R E D   R E V I E W S

PHOTOS on home page by Joseph Darmenia

Ruby Page - The Nightingale of JAZZ"

Barry Ponchard (Radio 3WBC)
 

"Congratulations to you and your band on your performance at Phillip Island.

I got to enjoy one of the most outstanding live performances I have had the pleasure to enjoy after chasing bands for 50 years now."

Roger Clark (Editor - The Bass Valley News)

It is a well-known fact that Ruby Page and Joe Ruberto together create a type of “indescribable magic” for their audience. Joe’s fingers skimming over the keyboard is quite mesmerizing and Ruby has the unique ability of becoming totally absorbed into the song she is singing – it is quite an emotional experience

Marg Hendrie (Victorian Jazz Club Inc)

E V E N T S​ - Check itinerary page

 Thursday, 14 November 2019

  6:30pm - 9:30pm

  Jazz on Thursdays
  @ the Rising Sun Hotel

  2 Raglan St

  Sth Melbourne
  Ph:  9696 2411

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Sunday, 24 November 2019

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Seaside Jazz - Blues & Latin
the Royal Brighton Yacht Club 
253 Esplanade,  Middle Brighton
Ph:  9592 3092

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Nov

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29

Reviews

Baycourt Arts Centre Tauranga - July 2018
The combination of Jazz and Wurlitzer definitely intrigued me, so I booked my tickets to listen to Scott Harrison, Ruby Page & Nane Page at Baycourt Arts Centre in Tauranga with great anticipation.  And I was not disappointed.  What an entertaining and absolutely breathtaking display of talent from them all.  I found the music so moving that at times I sat with my eyes shut and just absorbed the sound swirling around my emotions.  Scott’s incredible mastery of the Wurlitzer was just awe-inspiring and I found myself glued to the demonstration of true ambi-dexterity as his hands and feet created the amazing music resonating around me.  Ruby’s voice is just mezmerising and took me on a journey around the world of jazz.  When Nane sang with just her guitar, I got shivers from the purity of her voice and when the two of them sang beside the organ, slowly disappearing from view with the haunting strains of Pokarekare ana; it was a perfect ending to a stunning night.
Reviewed by Tracey Maule

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Ballarat Jazz Club - Mar 2018
The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet at the Ballarat Jazz Club
Back by popular demand, and we were not
disappointed! Such talented musicians and such delightful people!
The afternoon started with Candy as an instrumental with Joe Ruberto on piano,
Bob Venier on trumpet, Barry Boyes on sax, David Hicks on drums and Dan Gordon on bass.
On a Slow Boat To China as their second song featured the very delightful, sensual, alluring, and beautiful Ruby Page on vocals. The afternoon continued with a great selection of songs, many perfect for dancing. My favourite songs of the day were It Don’t Mean A Thing, (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Dancing Cheek To Cheek (with Bob Venier on vocals), It Must Have Been Moonglow (featured great harmonies of Bob Venier and Ruby Page on vocals), Them There Eyes, I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (featured some fabulous scatting by Bob Venier!), and many others!

Overall, a very entertaining afternoon of superb musicians, harmonies from heaven, and who could not enjoy the fantastic fingers of Joe Ruberto! His piano playing is like a beautiful waterfall of cascading notes that never fail to delight the senses!!!
Cindy Turnbow, BJC

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Wine O' Clock Wine Bar - Mar 2018

Jazz ~Tranquillity and Escape to Gisborne
A warm & friendly environment, only 45 mins from the CBD in a lovely tree lined street where you can relax, meet other people, indulge in a glass of wine, snacks and listen to a bi-monthly performance of the Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet.
Hosts - Carolyn & Peter Morris

Civic Jazz Club - Oct 2017
Another great day last Sunday at Civic Jazz Mornington, thank you to Ruby page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet who were sensational again, a show not to be missed.
Barrie Boyes on Reeds. — with Cooper Dean, Bob Venier, Ruby Page, Leon Heale and Joe Ruberto in Mornington, Victoria, Australia.
President - Graeme Kniese
 

Ballarat Jazz Club - Aug 2017
Ruby Page, Joe Ruberto-Piano/vocals, Bob Venier-Trumpet/vocals, Dean Addison-Double bass, Dean Cooper-Drums, Barrie Boyes-Sax
Hi Ruby,

Sending you a belated thanks for your fantastic gig at the Ballarat Jazz Club on 16th July.

I (and many others) thoroughly enjoyed your singing and your wonderful band. You have such a lovely voice and your interaction with the crowd was very professional and warm. Being a singer myself, I particularly enjoyed the three part harmony in many of your songs.

I must complement the band on their level of musicianship displayed as well. Every member of the band are of a high standard. I was completely blown away by Joe’s piano playing standard, he is one of the best I have ever heard.
Gerard Ballinger - Vice President – Ballarat Jazz Club

Ballarat Jazz Club - Aug 2017
The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet at the BJC 16/7/17 was truly a delightful afternoon!
 SOLD OUT crowd heard Ruby sing a variety of favourites including: You Do Something To Me, If Only I Had You, Moonglow, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Them There Eyes, and more.
Bob Venier displayed an amazing talent for scatting with his rendition of, I’ve Got The World On A String! Bob also sang, It Had To Be You and September In The Rain.
This Time The Dream’s On Me was a lovely duet with Ruby and Bob.
Who can resist the sheer talent and cheeky smile of Joe Ruberto on piano!!! I could listen to him play all day long!

Barry Boyles on sax, Dean Cooper on drums, and Dean Addison on double bass completed the line-up and are a great contribution to the overall talent of this group.

Their final song, It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got  that Swing, received a standing ovation…and rightly so after such a wonderful afternoon of entertainment! We didn’t want the afternoon to end!  What lovely human beings producing wonderful music!!!

Editor Cindy Turnbow - Ballarat Jazz Club
 

Gold Coast Jazz & Blues Club  May 2017
The Basement at The Arts Centre Gold Coast
It was packed for RUBY PAGE on Friday 12 May and we were treated to a virtuoso performance where Ruby sang some of the greatest songs of the 20th century. A mature, attractive woman singing about Love and Stars Falling On Alabama in that close-to-the-audience, intimate setting. Just superb!
Editor Roy McKeen  - Gold Coast Jazz & Blues Club

Geelong Jazz Club - Nov 2016

Tucked away on the West side of Geelong, this spacious complex that is home to the Geelong Jazz Club has fine accoustics, a spacious function hall, a large wooden floor for dancing that was filled to capacity with 150+ pax last Saturday night.
With an attentive audience who were either listening or dancing to the music of The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet, everyone... band, audience and Geelong Jazz Club committee members all went home with a smile on their faces. What a fabulous night, what a vibe! The band have been invited back for  another performance November 5th 2016.
Reviewed by Wayne Dawson: Pilgrim to Heavenly Sounds.

Review of ‘Dream Serenades’
& Geelong Jazz Club performance

Glenis Taylor

The variety of rhythms and melodic quality of each song on ‘Dream Serenades’ carries me through many moods from lively foot tapping swing and sambas to gently swaying with the more romantic numbers. Moonglow and Stars Fell on Alabama feel like smooth caramel overlain with butterfly wings! Independently masterful horns, double base, piano and drums blend exquisitely with Ruby’s delectable voice, with a deep richness achieved when Joe and Bob add in their harmonies. 

When I was fortunate enough to attend the jazztet’s first Geelong Jazz Club gig recently, the pure joy and easy camaraderie of these seasoned musicians, highlighted by Ruby’s sensual charisma, made the night a truly memorable one of fun and engaging entertainment, enthusiastically welcomed by the discerning jazz appreciators who kept the dance floor elegantly populated.

Dance Be In It - Aug 2016
Melbourne's latest and newest Ballroom Dance Club in Murrumbeena.
Joe Ruberto-Piano/vocals, Bob Venier-Trumpet/vocals, Dean Addison-Double bass, Michael Rochford-Drums, Barrie Boyes-Sax

What a night - full house and the band were cooking.
Bob Venier's golden trumpet tone carving up the stratosphere and that was without locking horns with big Barrie Boyes, whose raw rock 'n' roll edged tenor sax solos were the perfect foil for Bob's sophistication. Weaving his perennial silver piano threads, Joe Ruberto is the glue that keeps it all together, along with the inscrutable expressions of one of the most telepathic bass and drums duo around. As an added novelty it was great to hear the congas giving  more authentic touches to the hedonistic dances of Latin, tango, Bosa nova, mamba, you name it. Then the sirens song is given flesh and blood by none other than the soft and soulful vocals of Ruby Page, who really does feel like a matured, full bodied red wine full of sensuous complexity. The "Dance Be In It"  floor shows by the members of this exceptional club give added lustre to the visual kaleidoscope of sound and vision. Gotta be one of Melbourne's best kept secrets; be there or be square.

Reviewed by Wayne Dawson: Pilgrim to Heavenly Sounds.
 

Brisbane Jazz Club - Jun 2016
Kangaroo Point, Queensland
We had the utmost pleasure of performing in one of Brisbane’s Top 10 live music venues, the Brisbane Jazz Club, which is a venue totally dedicated to live jazz. What an ambience and what an experience!
Wow!!! the riverside location of the historic clubhouse offers stunning views of the city skyline, particularly after dark, from both inside and, outside on the deck.
There was a grand piano, windows behind the band showcasing rippling water and lights of the city in the background. Red curtains, black table cloths with square red cloths on top, low lights, candles and tiered seating/tables. Now that’s a Jazz Club. Outside seating on the deck and the music piped outside with a large TV screen to watch the show!
If you ever get to Brisbane, check the club out. You won’t be disappointed!

We loved tripping over to the Gold Coast Jazz Club Friday night and Brisbane Jazz Club Saturday night. Both very different venues and both special and unique. We had a ball!!
 

Gold Coast Jazz & Blues Club - Jun 2016
The Art Centre Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise

I predicted that it would be an enchanting evening and I was right!

Ruby Page is fortunate in that in her Jazztet she has two of the most talented musicians in Australia - Joe Ruberto on piano and Bob Venier on trumpet.

Not just talented in the quality of their instrumental performances but in their ability to blend so smoothly in their three part harmony versions of some of the great songs of the 20th century. In my 20 odd years as a member of our jazz club this is the first time that I have heard this type of close harmony which is so reminiscent of the Hi-Lo’s and the Four Freshmen. If you have never heard of the

Hi Lo’s or The Four Freshmen all I can suggest is “Go to YouTube.”

Another thing! Ruby and Joe and Bob, troupers that they are, all have perfect diction. You can hear every word they sing.

That’s a bit of a lost art these days and they didn’t have to shout like most of the kids on ‘The Voice.’

But it wasn’t all close harmony. Ruby’s repertoire draws from the Great American Songbook which encompasses, amongst others, the songs of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and she covered most of these on the evening and, as well, charmed us with a gorgeous version of Willie Nelson’ s ‘Crazy.’

The evening after Ruby and her Jazztet appeared at our club they did a gig at the Brisbane Jazz Club - another first for Ruby - and it is heart-warming to report that they had a full house including Brisbane-ites who had been telephoned by Gold Coast friends recommending that they catch Ruby. Some of the folk at our gig even went to the BJC for a second chance to hear Ruby. I bet they were all enchanted.

Reviewed by Roy McKeen - Editor

Rising Sun Hotel - Jun 2016

David Jones, one of the world’s leading drummers and Australia's very own joined our Jazztet again at the Rising Sun Hotel in Sth Melbourne to a packed out audience.

What energy, strength with lightness, fluid yet calm and peaceful…and that beautiful loving smile of his that draws you in.
To have him playing alongside us: Bob Venier on trumpet, Joe Ruberto on piano, Dean Addison on bass and myself was an honour. We all just connected and created musical magic together. Ahhh can’t wait till he returns!

REVIEW OF "DREAM SERENADES"

The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet

As only the second CD which has been cut by Melbourne’s sensational and highly- sought after jazz singer, Ruby Page - this product- “Dream Serenades” certainly illustrates that Ruby has taken the absolutely correct path from where she was 10 years ago on leaving New Zealand, to the peak of her career now.

Having experimented with various instrumentalists en route to her current spectacular group of “class act” musicians which comprise her regular lineup, it is fair to say that perfection has been achieved.   The pure pleasure that this group exhibits from the stage is evident in the music they produce and “The Ruby Page and Joe Ruberto Jazztet” would be one of the happiest, most melodic, and musically excellent groups currently performing in and around Melbourne.

Ruby is a person who has music, rhythm and love for humanity running through her veins, and she manages to portray this by physically getting inside each and every number she sings. One aspect of her performance which is very refreshing in a vocalist is her excellent diction.  She is an absolute living dynamo!

Apart from Ruby’s vocals and the beautifully balanced backing to her songs, the superb piano-playing of Joe Ruberto is truly magical.  The band arrangements have been written by Joe, who is renowned for his musical expertise – to watch him at the piano is an experience in itself!

This CD has broken new ground for the group by introducing some wonderful three part harmonies into their repertoire – the proof of their success is evident from the reaction of any audience fortunate enough to hear them.  It would appear that two Italian instrumentalists, combined with a Pacific Islander songstress is a recipe for unparalleled success when it comes to harmonizing!

Top Melbourne musicians who have contributed to the success of this latest CD are:

Barry Boyes saxophone, Dean Cooper drums, Dean Addison double bass, Bob Venier trumpet/vocals, Eric Budd trombone, the extraordinarily talented Joe Ruberto on piano/vocals and Ruby Page herself on vocals.

The excellent choice of tunes on “Dream Serenades” is going to make listeners keep playing it until it wears out! I know it will have a permanent spot on my CD player!
Marg Hendrie - Secretary - Victorian Jazz Club Inc.
 

Rising Sun Hotel - Sept 2015
Thank you to my darling sister Nane
This was a very special night for me. My younger sister Nane who just flew in that morning from NZ joined me on the bandstand to sing that night - our last show together was 20 years ago in NZ before I crossed the seas. The years just fell away and we were in total sync. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. I'm hoping she will come back again next year.

FEEDBACK
Down South Jazz Club 11 Dec 2015

By Drummer Ken Vatche
I have just had the best night of jazz I've had for years. Ruby Page, Bob Venier, and Joe Ruberto, are superb at their craft and together with Steve Clark we had a fantastic gig. I feel so lucky that I get to play with such talented and lovely people. Bob and I played together many years ago in Melbourne, in a great band doing rock stuff but this was the first time we played jazz and Latin together. What a winner!

THANKYOU
The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
"Dream Serenades"
Geoff Tobin
Jazz Presenter 3CR 855AM
Many thanks for Dream Serenades which I received at the post office on Friday. Have just finished playing it for the third time and just love it. I imagine that you and everyone involved in the recording and production of the CD are very proud of it.

THANKYOU

The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
Ian Cootes

Jazz Presenter 94.7 FM

Hello Ruby,

I write this as I listen to part of your remarkable set I recorded on my phone at Halls Gap last weekend. Yours were the standout performances at the festival for me. It was great to see Bob Venier back on stage performing again. The three part harmonies with you, Joe and Bob were nothing short of superb.

Our program is unique in that we cover ALL genres of jazz, so your material would definitely be a welcome inclusion. While I would welcome any of your CDs, I would really like to feature the soon to be released one as I would really love to highlight the three part harmonies.

Newcastle Jazz Festival - Aug 2015
Our Jazztet line up, Joe Ruberto, Bob Venier, Barrie Boyes, Dean Cooper and I had an incredible weekend at this very professionally run festival. They had great bands performing throughout and very well attended shows.

We did two concerts on Saturday and another on Sunday with the addition of Andrew Wallace on Double Bass and Jason Nelson on Trombone, both experienced musicians that blended in beautifully as part of our Jazztet as if they'd always been there.
I was delighted when Andy Firth on Clarinet sat in on two of our concerts...Oh my, he was incredible. All that talent and musicianship on the band stand was outstanding and our audiences were very appreciative. We all had an absolute ball.
 

FEEDBACK

The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet 
Inverloch Festival 7 and 8 March
Kerrie Palamountain
Hi Ruby,

We live in rural SA (3 hours from Adelaide).  We attended the Inverloch Jazz Festival this year and heard you for the first time.  It was one of those amazing times where I was moved to tears with the magic of your music.  Cannot wait to receive your CD which I have just ordered.  (We are starved for jazz – or any music for that matter, where we live!) 

Our son, Chris Palamountain, led the Admiral’s Own Band at the Festival – he plays sax. 

With huge admiration and appreciation

Kerrie Palamountain...followup below.

Kerrie & Roger Palamountain

Subject "Dream Serenades"

Message

Hi Ruby, Joe and Bob,
We often find that CD's don't quite capture the essence of the music that live performances offer. Since receiving 'Dream Serenades' in the post this week, it has not stopped playing in our house. There are so many wonderful tracks and, as at the Inverloch Jazz Festival, when we heard you for the first time harmonizing and were spell-bound, we are now captivated in our own home by your sound. Congratulations and please, please, can we have Dream Serenades 2 soon?
Kerrie & Roger

24 July, 2015

Thank you!

REVIEW Of "DREAM SERENADES"  

The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
Past President Victorian Jazz Club
Jazz Presenter John Crichton
        96.5 INNER FM

• Day in Day Out 

• Spanish Medley
  Be True To Me
   Acercate mas
  Green Eyes 

• Moonglow 

• Stars Fell On Alabama 

• That's All 

• It Don't Mean a thing 

• This Time the Dream’s On Me 

• Dindi 

• Day by Day 

• One Note Samba 

• We'll Be Together Again 

• A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square 

• Once In A While 

Since her arrival in Australia from New Zealand more than a decade ago, vocalist Ruby Page has been prominent on the Melbourne jazz scene, best recognised for her appearances in smaller, intimate venues such as restaurants and night clubs, in trio, quartet or in quintet settings.  Having established herself as a popular entertainer, backed by a rhythm section led by pianist Joe Ruberto for the past ten years, she has added extra brass to her line-up of supporting musicians, thus broadening her appeal to wider audiences such as Jazz Clubs and Jazz Festivals, where she and the band have been greeted with enthusiastic acclaim.

Her long-awaited re-appearance on the recording scene (she recorded the album “Smile”in 2004), has resulted in “Dream Serenades” featuring six musicians, with thirteen tracks of love songs and jazz standards in keeping with the album title.
The line-up is Ruby on vocals; Joe Ruberto, piano/vocals; Bob Venier, trumpet/vocals; Barrie Boyes, tenor saxophone; Dean Addison, bass; Dean Cooper, drums, and a new musical voice has been added, for this album, in the person of Eric Budd on trombone.

The outstanding feature of the album is the three-part vocal harmonies on all but five of the tracks, where the voices of Ruby, Joe and Bob blend in superbly, (somewhat reminiscent of the Hi-los, who recorded back in the 1950’s), but with their own particular signature.

Day in Day Out kicks off the album to a bright start with the entire ensemble, driving rhythm from the two Deans and spirited solos from Bob and Joe. The three-part harmonies begin with the evergreen Moonglow with Eric’s trombone adding an instrumental voice to the three vocalists.

Dean Addison opens Stars Fell on Alabama with bowed bass and Barrie’s rounded tone on tenor adds another instrumental highlight to this popular standard.

That’s All has just Ruby on vocal with sensitive solos from Barrie, Bob and Joe on this excellent arrangement. Vocal three-way scat vocals are the stand-out feature of It Don’t mean a thing, (somehow Laura creeps in) and listen to Barrie’s dreamy, sentimental solo on This Time The Dreams on Me.

Day by Day is taken up-tempo and Bob, Joe and Dean Addison get to give their solo best as we have come to expect.

The Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square, the longest track on the album, is taken in waltz tempo, with the two “Deans” of their instruments taking the opportunity to display their musical talents.

Once in a while (the Edwards/Green version) provides a solo another platform for the stride piano of Joe Ruberto in support of the three voices.

Each track is of such high standard it is difficult to nominate the ‘best’ track, (and space does not allow me to comment on all thirteen) suffice it to state that the optimum musical standards are achieved and maintained throughout. My preference is We’ll be Together Again (for sentimental reasons).

Ruby’s vocals on all tracks, particularly the last-mentioned, are Ruby at her best-- vibrant, sensitive and sincere. She is, however, a vocalist who should be seen live as well as heard on record.

Her looks, personality, charisma and audience rapport make her a captivating performer and you will glean from listening to this album that she enjoys the company of her backing musicians, something which she also projects in live performance.

Joe Ruberto is without peer when backing singers of Ruby’s quality and his solo pieces are also a joy to watch as well as to listen to.

Ruby and Joe should be content in the knowledge that they have chosen a selection of tunes which showcase their exceptional talents, in the company of sidemen who are household names in jazz and who achieve the epitome of musical performance.

Purchase the CD and catch the band live! You’ll see what I mean.
 

"Jazz & Shirazz" @ Jackson & C0 - Aug 2015
The band drove from Melbourne to Jackson & Co, a traditional style corner hotel with a generous wrap around balcony and a spacious atmosphere that only Ballarat could offer.
We had a great turnout 16 Aug for an afternoon of Jazz with our 6 piece Jazztet, free wine tasting and dining.  We had music lovers not only from Ballarat, but people from Geelong and Melbourne who made the trip out to join us at this Heritage listed Hotel... and they also turned the weather on for us!

We'll be going back too. I'll keep you posted!

O what a night! - JaZZ on THURSDAYS 
Special Guest - Drummer David Jones
One of the world's great drummer/percussionists and one of Australia's virtuoso musicians
joined Joe Ruberto, Bob Venier, Dean Addison and I last Thursday at the Rising Sun Hotel 16 July. 
What an incredible vibe & creative

experience we all shared.
 
Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Our concert at Dizzys Jazz Club as part of the Festival was a highlight for me this month. My musicians, Joe Ruberto-MD/Piano/vocals, Bob Venier-Trumpet/vocals, Dean Addison-Doublebass and Michael Rochford-Drums were cooking on hot burners and what a wonderful positive response from our very attentive audience.

Album Launch at Milanos Tavern - May 2015
Thankyou to everyone who joined us at our new Album Launch. There were so many dear loyal friends in the packed audience who have been supporting Joe and I and our talented cohorts of musicians for so many years.

We hope you are enjoying our new Album "Dream Serenades" and please, we would love your feedback...I will put it up on my website.

Ballarat Jazz Club - Apr 2015

We had another wonderful afternoon at the Ballarat Jazz Club. Great room and vibe,  views looking out on to the golf course and an appreciative listening audience...what more could our Jazztet want!