Stella
Ruze
About Stella Ruze
Stella Ruze is a seven-piece award-winning folk rock band from Philadelphia, PA. The group was first established in 2014 as a duo in Manayunk which included Bredan Johnson and Katie O’Donnell. The duo performed numerous gigs and open mics and soon evolved into a foursome by adding a trumpet player and a keyboard player. It wasn’t until 2017 that the foursome grew into a seven piece band to include a saxophone player, a bass guitarist, and a drummer. Together, this group creates infectious songs consisting of various instruments, strong melodies, and joyful rhythms. Their talent has led to them being featured on WXPN and even win the Folk category of PHL LIVE Center Stage Awards in 2019.
Learn more about Stella Ruze on their website here: https://stellaruze.com/
My Experience
Out of the three performances this night at Philly Music Fest, this was my favorite one. There were so many different instruments being played simultaneously and together it created such beautiful sounds. My favorite song they performed was called Travel Song. It was their opening song which captured my attention off the bat. It had this island feel and it’s definitely something I would listen to while driving down to the beach. Shout out to the trumpet player Alex Styer and the saxophone player Gabriel Preston--they absolutely killed it on their solos. I was thoroughly impressed by the saxophone player especially, because I saw him switch instruments multiple times throughout the performance. I did some research and not only did I learn that he just recently graduated from Temple University, but also that he has the ability to play the saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, and bassoon. I’ve never seen a music group with so many varying instruments, but Stella Ruze had a great talent taking these instruments to form a cohesive sound. Their songs are ones that make you feel good. I would definitely see them again.
Click here to listen to Travel Song by Stella Ruze
Temple's Very Own: Gabe Preston
Below are some resources to learn about Gabe:
Gabe Preston performing his saxophone solo at Philly Music Fest
Genre: Folk
Folk music is a type of traditional music that is usually learned through hearing rather than reading. It’s difficult to pinpoint an origin where folk music stems due to it growing from tradition rather than entertainment. However, it is known that folk music is mainly the music of the working class. When looking through the lens of American history, the earliest notes of folk music are from slaves working in the fields. During this time they would sing spiritual songs like Down by the Riverside and We Shall Overcome. Most folk singers have learned this craft unofficially through family, tribe, community, and other close-knit groups. It’s common for folk songs to be passed down from generation to generation. As mentioned earlier, unlike other music that is performed as entertainment, folk music tends to serve a greater purpose than solely enjoyment to the eye. Folk music is often tied to rituals or games. It is varying from culture to culture, but there are a few elements that are almost always shared. The first one is acoustic instruments, second is english language lyrics, and the third is the emphasis on regional authenticity. Today, you can find folk music acts all over the country trying to keep the folk tradition alive.