Ruby Turner : Biography and career history, including Music, TV, Films and Theatre

Ruby Turner was born in Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay. Her Grandfather sang the lead in one of the Island's Gospel Groups. Moving to England when she was 9, Ruby has lived here ever since.

"Soul, Gospel, and R&B : Ruby Turner is truly the genuine article. Blessed with a voice that can breathe life and meaning into any song, whether it be a passionate ballad or a fast groove" - The Guardian

Her career to date has had many unexpected twists and turns but with major tours, theatre and TV appearances, and a new Album with Jools Holland just released, the future continues to look positive.

Her major break came in the mid 1980's, when she was asked to join 'Culture Club' at the height of their stardom. Ruby very quickly learned how to deal with the routine of gruelling tour schedules, living out of a suit case and performing to vast sell-out audiences.

An offer of a solo record deal closely followed and she soon signed to Jive Records, part of the Zomba Group. Four albums and a "Best of" Compilation Album were all released to critical acclaim over the next few years making Ruby a household name.

This period went on to spawn the hits 'I'd Rather Go Blind', 'If You're Ready' (Come Go With Me) and in the American R'n'B chart, the Number 1 hit single 'It's Gonna Be Alright' - one of less than ten British records to achieve this! It was at this time that she also released her hit album 'The Motown Songbook' on which she performed with some of the truly great stars of that era - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin etc.

To date, Ruby has released 14 albums plus the BBC's 'Live From Glastonbury', as well as appearing on releases by the likes of Brian Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood and Mick Jagger. She is also one of the main singers in Jools Holland's R&B Orchestra, and features on many Tracks on his latest Album.

In the late 1990's, Ruby re-affirmed her ability as a fine songwriter, an aspect of her talent which she has continually been honing and tuning, when she penned nine of the songs for her 'Call Me By My Name' album released during 1999. Artists as diverse and influential as Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest have all covered and done justice to some of her great songs.

Moving into the 2000's, and with theatre still in her blood, Ruby returned to the stage and appeared in a Production of Tennessee Williams’ A Street Car Named Desire, Carmen Jones, Fame (in the West End) and in the highly acclaimed One Love directed by Yvonne Brewster at the Lyric Theatre. She also appeared at Donmar Warehouse as part of their ‘Diva’s at the Donmar’ season and in ‘The Crucible’ Theatre, Sheffield.

Her most recent theatre appearance was a hugely successful run in the London West End
production of "Simply Heavenly". The musical won several awards and was also nominated
for the 'Outstanding Musical' at the 2005 Laurence Olivier Awards.

Ruby remains passionate about her solo music career and always looks forward for opportunities to get 'out on the road' playing concerts/gigs with her own Band of very accomplished musicians.

2005 saw Ruby release her new Studio Album : "So Amazing". Fully Six years in the making, it stands as one of the most personal, powerful and emotional Albums she has ever recorded. 10 out of the 12 tracks were co-written by her. One of these tracks, "Ain't Cried", was co-written at Miles Copeland’s chateau in France and featured in the BBC drama series “Silent Witness”.

In 2007, due to massive popular demand from her many fans, Ruby released a special double live Album "Live At Ronnie Scotts". Recorded at the famous Jazz Club venue in central London, it includes many of her older hits alongside some great new songs. The special Bonus CD was also recorded live at the MAC {Midlands Arts Centre} venue, in Ruby's hometown of Birmingham.

2008 saw Ruby continuing to make her mark singing with Jools Holland and his 18-Piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. After performing in the early months of the year to packed audiences on tours in Europe, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, the wonderful album 'The informer' was released.

This features Ruby on 7 of the tracks including the title song "The Informer",
which was 'A' listed on Radio 2 for 4 weeks.

On the back of promoting this new Album, Ruby made many TV Appearances, including The Richard and Judy Show, Later, and the BBC's New Years Eve Hootenanny Program.

At the present time, Ruby continues to receive many offers for musical collaborations, most recently on Blues Guitarist Seasick Steves latest CD, singing the Track "Oh Happy Man".

She also manages to make the time for frequent appearances on TV, Radio and Film. In the past few years alone she has been seen on the BBC in Eastenders, Judge John Deed, Doctors, and the Little Britain Christmas Special. She will shortly play Olivia in Hotel Babylon, to be aired Spring 2009.

In the world of Films, Ruby had a part in the very popular Richard Curtis Film "Love Actually, and on the Radio, she has also recently presented a fabulous documentary on Sister Rosetta Tharpe for BBC Radio 2 called Shout Sister Shout.

Ruby is currently getting ready for her own shows in 2009, which includes two nights in February at Ronnie Scotts. In March she resumes touring again with Jools Holland and his R&B Orchestra.

Exciting news for 2009 is that Ruby is currently preparing a brand new album of vintage Church and Gospel Music. With a working title of "I'm travelling On', it has a tentative *Easter* release date.