NYC Drummer Nick Ruffini (Philadelphia, PA native), began playing drums at age 15 and never stopped. Nick attended Villanova and Kutztown University, graduating in 2005 with a B.S. in Business Management and Music Performance. During college Nick played in a Salsa Band, a 17-piece Big-Band, a Jazz Band, a Percussion Ensemble, and an African Percussion Group along with local and regional bands up and down the East Coast. Nick is the drummer for the regional touring group Monacy and The Nick Ruffini Band and can often be seen performing with Jeff Washington (Melba Moore, Mica Paris, Freddie Jackson, Chaka Khan, Dee Dee Bridgewater and others) and The Sermon – totalling over 100 shows per year. In addition, Nick teaches private lessons, works on various studio projects and runs Drummer's Resource, a site that offers information, education and motivation for drumming and beyond. In 2011, Nick launched his solo career, recording a record under his own name. The album includes Johnny Defrancesco (Defranceso Brothers) on guitar, Paul Klinefelter (Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra) on bass, Rich Budesa (Budesa Brothers) on organ and was engineered/mixed/mastered by 2011 Grammy Nominee, Glenn Ferracone. Following a nation wide radio campaign, Nicks first solo release "Pressin On" peaked at #54 on the US Jazz Charts. Nick has performed/shared the stage with: Phishs Page McConnell, Everlast, The Greyboy Allstars, Dave Grippo (Trey Anastasio Band), Johnny Defrancesco, DJ Q-Ball (DJ for the Multi-platinum artists The Bloodhound Gang), Jazz Legend Melvin Sparks and Badfish, just to name a few.