Bruiser and the Virtues Local Artist


In 1998, Bruce Bruiser Rummenie met John “JT” Tubbs - a recently relocated bassist from Madison, Wisconsin, who possesses an impressive musical resume most notably as a sideman for Paul Black and the Flip-Kings. Bruiser and JT began forming Bruiser and the Virtues, an original jump blues combo that features Neal Robinson - another highly respected C-U musical veteran -on piano, musical composition Ph.D., tenor sax player Peter Roubal, and alto sax man Bruce “Hollywood” Bethel. The Virtues released the CD Bruiser and the Virtues: From Vice to Virtue and Vica Versa. in 2001.
In 2004, The Virtues won the Illinois Central Blues Society Challenge and went on to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, performing at B. B King’s Nightclub on Beale St. in February, 2005. Australian blues guitarist Jimi Hocking - 2005’s individual contest winner - termed the Virtues, “Pretty much my favorite band in the contest.” The Virtues are recognized and lauded in C-U, too. The Virtues were a featured band at Java and Jet’s Atomic Frolic in ‘06, and they continue to play at both private and pubic shows to rave reviews. While Tubbs and Bethel have moved on to other projects, the Virtues now boast music performance Ph. D. candidate Ed Schaller on bass. Local blues favorite Candy Foster- who is often seen at Virtues shows when he has the night off - recently said of the band’s 40’s styled jump blues: “I love the way you guys play - it’s real old school....”