Based in New York City and Vienna, THE RUFF PACK (TRP) consists of three musicians: Stephan Kondert, Matthias Löscher, and Daru Jones; blending the improvisational nature and compositional complexity of Jazz with the rustic groove and frenetic energy of Hip-Hop.
Modeled after the “classic” jazz guitar trio, TRP visualizes instrumental Hip-Hop through live instrumentation. To date, TRP has released two Studio albums: “WITH YOU“ (2013), and “Introducing THE RUFF PACK“ (2010), and their live-concert DVD, “THE RUFF PACK LIVE“ (2011).
Since 2009 they have been touring regularly on both sides of the Atlantic and have been featured at countless jazz, hip-hop clubs and festivals, including: the “Blue Note Jazz Club (NYC),” “Catch A Fire Festival (Germany),” the “Red Bull Brandwagen Geheimkonzerttour featuring Aloe Blacc (Vienna)” and the “Living Colour: VIVID 25th Anniversary at The Fillmore (San Francisco),” amongst countless other Jazz, Hip-Hop and various clubs.
As a musical collaboration between Kondert, Löscher, and Jones, the trio has succeeded at weaving together a high musical sophistication with deep soulful grooves. THE RUFF PACK takes listeners on a journey that stimulates mind and heart