Renowned Jazz vocalist Ruby Glover studied music at the Peabody Conservatory. She was the daughter of Inez Bell, a jazz singer back in the days of the Cotton Club.
Ruby began her career as a teenager in the mid-‘40s performing at Gamby’s, Phil’s, and at the Red Fox with contemporary Ethel Ennis. Musicians who provided her backing music included Claude Hubbard (piano), Chico Johnson (piano), Phil Harris (bass), Harold Adams (sax), and Purnell Rice (drums)…
Ruby was also a vocalist for Doug’s Blue Notes, and the Count Lantz Quartet.
In the mid-’60s Ruby worked the Playboy Club circuit. She worked in Europe during the mid-‘60s and upon returning in the late ‘60s she could be seen at the Roosevelt Show Bar with the Roosevelt Jazz Combo, and the Royal Roost fronting the Fuzzy Kane Trio….
During the ‘70s she sang at the Royal Roost, and the Blues for Mr. Charlie Club. Ruby performed for President Carter’s Inauguration Ball. Over the years she has worked with such greats as Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons…
Nicknamed “The Godmother of jazz” by Mayor Kurt Schmoke, Ruby worked with virtually every local jazz musician in a career that spanned over 60 years. She taught Jazz Appreciation at Sojourner-Douglass College and was a key organizer for the annual Billie Holiday Jazz Vocal Competitions in Baltimore. She performed at the Oakland Mills Village Center in the ‘80s backed by pianist Fuzzy Kane. She was a feature artist at the annual Artscape Festivals, and made a special appearance at the Left Bank Jazz Society 40th Anniversary tribute in 2004.
Her rendition of the classic “God Bless the Child” was included on the ‘Invisible Sound Studios Sampler Vol. 1’ compilation CD.
On October 10, 2007, Ruby performed for a local music history event at the Baltimore Museum of Industry with a presentation by Joe Vaccarino. Ruby sang a few jazz standards backed by pianist Charlie Etzel. On October 19 while performing with the Tom Reyes Trio for a benefit for the House of Ruth at the Creative Alliance, Ruby suffered a stroke and collapsed on stage. She passed away the following day. Known and loved by virtually every musician and fan in Baltimore, she will be missed by all.
