Peter Ruth

Peter "Madcat" Ruth is an American harmonica player. Since the 1960s, he has performed across many genres, including folk, blues, jazz, and country. In 2006, Ruth won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Recording for his appearance on William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience.

Biography Early life Ruth became inspired to play the blues when he heard Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. He grew up listening to Chicago blues musicians, and he often visited Maxwell Street, and attended many shows at the Regal Theater in Chicago, as well as the University of Chicago to see artists such as James Brown, Junior Walker and the All Stars, Otis Redding, Mississippi John Hurt, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Big Joe Williams, Sleepy John Estes, Yank Rachell, Robert Pete Williams, and many others, who would become a big influence on him and his music.

In 1963, when he was a freshman in high school, he took guitar lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, and at the age of 14 began playing folk/blues on guitar and harmonica around the Chicago area in his first band, a duo called The Petey-Tweety Band. At age 18, Ruth began taking harmonica lessons from Big Walter Horton. at a jam session, and Madcat told Chris to let him know if he ever needed a harmonica player.

In 1971, Dave Brubeck wrote the cantata "Truth is Fallen", which featured New Heavenly Blue, and was performed with various orchestras, among them the Rochester Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. New Heavenly Blue also played the music for a touring company performing Jesus Christ Superstar, with Madcat playing all of the saxophone parts on the harmonica.

In 1974, Madcat also joined Chris Brubeck's newly formed progressive rock group, Sky King. In 1975, Sky King released the album Secret Sauce, on Columbia Records, and made an extensive U.S. tour.

1990s In 1990, Madcat and guitarist/singer Shari Kane formed the duo Madcat & Kane. They continued to record and tour nationally and internationally until 2014.

In 1998 Madcat teamed up with Chris Brubeck, and guitarist Joel Brown, to form Chris Brubeck's Triple Play, a band that he continues to perform with. That same year, he also started performing with Big Joe Manfra in Brazil, and he has completed thirteen tours in Brazil with Manfra since then.

2000s Ruth also recorded with George Clinton, and he appeared on the 2003 compilation 6 Degrees of P-Funk: The Best of George Clinton & His Funky Family.

In 2005, Homespun Tapes released two DVDs of harmonica techniques taught by Madcat, "Anyone Can Play Harmonica – An Easy Guide to Getting Started", and "The Ins And Outs of Rhythm Harp – Percussive Techniques for Blues Players".

In February 2006 he won the Grammy Award for "Best Classical Recording", for his performance on William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience, recorded live at Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan.

In 2009, Madcat was one of the featured musicians in the documentary film Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary, which was narrated by Huey Lewis.

2010s In 2014, Madcat appeared on Musician/Actor Jeff Daniels recording Days Like These.

In 2017, in honor of John Lee Hooker's 100th birthday anniversary celebration, he performed with Booker Blues All-Stars on a recording called Booker Plays Hooker. The band consists of drummer Muruga Booker, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Billy Davis (guitar & vocals), Tony "Strat" Thomas (guitar), John Sauter (bass guitar), and Misty Love (former backup singer for Kid Rock) (vocals)

Although he is always involved in many side projects and special guest appearances, Madcat currently plays with Peter Madcat Ruth's C.A.R.Ma. Quartet, with Chris Brubeck's Triple Play, and with The Schrock Brothers Band.