1942
Tommy
2015
Tommy Ruskin
July 15, 1942 — January 1, 2015
Tommy Ruskin, well-known Kansas City jazz drummer, passed away January 1, 2015 at his home. Tommy was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1942 to Ida and Roy Ruskin. He attended Southwest High School and began drumming professionally at age 17 with the Roy Johnson Trio. Tommy married singer Julie Turner in 1963. They have one son, musician, Brian Ruskin.
Tommy Ruskin is survived by his wife, Julie Turner Ruskin; son, Brian Ruskin (wife, Dayna); brother, Harry Ruskin (wife, Sharon); Brother-in-Law, David Turner; Jennifer, Angella and Jeannine Ruskin (nieces); and Jeremy Turner and Lukas Turner (nephews).
Tommy played and recorded with many of Kansas City’s top jazz artists including: Julie Turner; Marilyn Maye; Sammy Tucker; Pete Eye, Milt Abel; John Elliott; Braham Wijnands; Mike Ning; Stan Kessler; Jay McShann; Mike Metheny; Pat Metheny; and Gary Foster—just to name a few. Tommy led the rhythm section for the Topeka jazz workshop for many years, backing international jazz artists such Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Billy Eckstine, Bill Watrous and Carl Fontana. He performed with his wife, Julie Turner at The Majestic Steakhouse for many years, and more recently with Braham Wijnands at the Majestic Steakhouse and with Lynn Zimmer at The Gaslight Grill.
A funeral service for Tommy will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1:00 PM, also at the chapel. Interment will immediately follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either JAM (Jazz Ambassador Magazine) kcjazzambassadors.com , or to American Jazz Museum (americanjazzmuseum.org).
Arrangements: Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 913-451-1860.
Tommy Ruskin is survived by his wife, Julie Turner Ruskin; son, Brian Ruskin (wife, Dayna); brother, Harry Ruskin (wife, Sharon); Brother-in-Law, David Turner; Jennifer, Angella and Jeannine Ruskin (nieces); and Jeremy Turner and Lukas Turner (nephews).
Tommy played and recorded with many of Kansas City’s top jazz artists including: Julie Turner; Marilyn Maye; Sammy Tucker; Pete Eye, Milt Abel; John Elliott; Braham Wijnands; Mike Ning; Stan Kessler; Jay McShann; Mike Metheny; Pat Metheny; and Gary Foster—just to name a few. Tommy led the rhythm section for the Topeka jazz workshop for many years, backing international jazz artists such Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Billy Eckstine, Bill Watrous and Carl Fontana. He performed with his wife, Julie Turner at The Majestic Steakhouse for many years, and more recently with Braham Wijnands at the Majestic Steakhouse and with Lynn Zimmer at The Gaslight Grill.
A funeral service for Tommy will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1:00 PM, also at the chapel. Interment will immediately follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either JAM (Jazz Ambassador Magazine) kcjazzambassadors.com , or to American Jazz Museum (americanjazzmuseum.org).
Arrangements: Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 913-451-1860.
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