RIP Jon Ruff

Pete · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 7:36 am Post subject: RIP Jon Ruff

It it with great sadness that I mention the passing of Jon Ruff. Jon has been a member here, a Stomvi rep as well as a wonderful player and teacher. Scott Englebright posted this yesterday on Facebook: "I'm in total shock this morning as I just heard my good friend Jon Ruff passed away last night from being in a motorcycle accident outside of Vegas. I had so many good times hanging and playing with him. He was such a wonderful human being and amazing trpt player. Can't believe this has happened as he survived 3 heart attacks just a few yrs ago. I helped him pack when he moved from CA to AZ. Such a sad day, but I have tons of amazing memories with Jon being a goofball but making great music with him. Love you Jon. You will be forever missed."

Pete

JetJaguar · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 7:57 am Post subject:

I was surprised to see this. I appreciated his contributions on here, and had a few brief direct communications with him. He was a nice person who avoided conflict while discussing complex subjects.
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Bach 7C mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece
www.jazzscales.org
The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com

HillBilly Joe · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 10:07 am Post subject:

This is horrible news, he was one of the good guys. Every interaction I had with him left me with a smile, as he was such a kind and sincere soul. RIP Jon.
_________________
Joe V
Yamaha 8335 LA Gen II
ACB Doubler Flugelhorn
Manchester Brass Pocket Trumpet
GR 62Z**, ACB TAZF

JetJaguar · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 10:26 am Post subject:

JayKosta · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 10:28 am Post subject:

Sad news, Jon was a thoughtful and helpful contributor on TH (his ID is rufflicks), and his youtube videos contain good info.

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

Bigelow-Kid · Regular Member Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 45

To say I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Jon's tragic accident and passing is a huge understatement. Jon was "larger than life" and for years all I heard about in the Air Force was Jon Ruff. Then I was lucky enough to be stationed with him at Yokota AB Japan in 2004-2005. I was the new senior enlisted manager of the band and had only been in my new office 10 minutes before there was a panicked pounding on my door -- yes, it was Jon Ruff telling me I had to get him out of Japan and back to California.

Jon could be a handful but I wish I'd had 5 more trumpet players that could play anywhere near his abilities. There are so many great stories and experiences we shared in our 13 months working together; and only Jon Ruff could make the King of Thailand laugh with his side-handed comments.

We remained friends since that first day and chatted often, his humor, advice and friendship will be forever missed. Love ya bro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTDLepss0mQ
Jon Yates

trumpjosh · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: RIP Jon Ruff

Lawler Bb · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:07 pm Post subject:

A huge loss for the trumpet playing community. I didn't know him personally, but really enjoyed his valuable contributions to our craft, be it here on TH, YouTube, or elsewhere. I'll miss him for sure. RIP Jon.
_________________
Eric Sperry
www.ericsperry.com
www.facebook.com/EricSperryTrumpet/
www.instagram.com/milwaukeetrumpet/

deleted_user_02066fd · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

Wow, sorry to hear this. I had a few correspondences with Jon. I complimented him on an aloha shirt in one of his videos. He had lived in Hawaii for a time. My wife was born and raised there. Nice guy and a hell of a player.

coraltrpt · Regular Member Joined: 18 Oct 2016 Posts: 88

He was very kind to me as a first-term Airman visiting the Band of the Golden West on TDY. I remember being blown away by his playing and his big personality. He also gave me good advice on working with band commanders... Thank you again, Jon. I'll always remember those things.

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

Saw this on Jim Manley's Facebook page. Very sorry - I never met Jon in person but he seemed like a good guy. He made some great videos. He made one that addressed a question I asked about the Reynolds ERA and explained details of the horn and its history. My condolences to his family.
_________________
Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C

Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo

Chinese Flugel

Denny Schreffler · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:52 am Post subject:

Sincere condolences to Jon's family.

I took a friend to Jon for a mouthpiece consultation last October and I had an extended lesson with Jon, in his home, last T'giving weekend.

The big part of Jon's public persona was, in truth, eclipsed by his gentle graciousness and genuine humility.

-Denny

Funknfritter · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:38 am Post subject: RIP Jon Ruff

wow, that's sad. I only knew of him through his YouTube videos. Back in the spring i watched all of them, being a covid comeback player. I liked his personality a lot, and he had some good advice for playing that i have taken to heart. This makes me sad.

Richard III · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:50 am Post subject:

I used to live 2-3 hours from the SF Bay Area. I called Jon to ask about a cornet I was interested in. This was approaching Christmas that year. Jon offered to bring the cornet to my house to try as he was coming my way for the holidays. It didn't work out for me, but really we spent so much time on the phone and his generousness was so amazing I couldn't believe it. It is sad that he passed away. That kind of customer service and friendly treatment of a stranger was so touching.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

spitvalve · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:01 pm Post subject:

I never met Jon personally but had a few communications with him when he was with Stomvi. Always enjoyed his educational and entertaining videos.
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

JVL · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 8:44 am Post subject:

Sad news...
Peace and Light to Jon, and sincere condoleances to his family.
Many thanks for all his contributions here and his very good videos

voscuate · Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:07 pm Post subject: RIP

Just discovered this a year after the fact. When I started my comeback journey three years ago his videos were some of the first I used and one of the only I posted a question in the comment section. He promptly responded and addressed my question in a YT comment section. Very generous and obviously a great great player. Very saddened by the news despite being a complete stranger and being a year later. I think of his advice and persona a lot while practicing and trying to get better.