A well established presence in the Asheville music scene since 2002, Jazz and Blues Chanteuse Peggy Ratusz performs an infectious, sultry, multi-layered brand of original, traditional and modern Blues, Soul and Jazz. While influences such as Ray Charles, Connie Evingson, Joan Osborne and Bonnie Raitt are evident, it can’t be denied that her unique style and voice are one of a kind. She and her backing bands are particularly impressive during live performances where audiences are warmed by the glow of her shine. Inspired by the rhythm, the melodies and content of the stories she tells, every drop of emotion is authentic and shows all who are present, that she’s a willing servant to the music she writes and covers.
For over forty years, opportunities have come her way that have landed her on television shows, radio, festival line ups, theaters, bars, restaurants, benefits, private events and showcases. She spent seven years based in Tucson, Arizona where she toured the West in a folk rock trio from 1979 to 1985. Audiences began to experience the richness, power and emotion of her voice evoking positive reviews and acclaim. In 1985 she moved to “the live music capital of the world ” a.k.a. Austin, Texas and stepped into the Blues pool fronting a 4-pc Chicago Blues style band called The Bootleggers. She performed at popular clubs in Austin such as The Steam Boat, The Black Cat Lounge, 311 Club, Babe’s and Maggie Mae’s. Throughout the 1990’s she was also a featured entertainer in show bands such as Hot Wax, Apollo Soul and The Copy Cats, covering Motown and Soul music from the 60’s and 70’s and 80’s.
In November of 2002, she moved to Western North Carolina and now makes her home in Fletcher. “Listening is the most important aspect about creating music people need to hear. It enables us to lift each other up as musicians on stage together, which in turn gives us the opportunity to fearlessly stretch ourselves beyond what we thought we were capable of doing.” The talented musicians, who share the stage with her, agree.
The 2000’s have been banner years for this still very young 62 year old singer and musician. An original track from her freshman CD, “Sexual High” was picked by Jomar Records and is featured on the compilation CD, National Women in Blues. Her live version of Memphis Slim’s I’m Lost Without You featuring Duane Simpson on acoustic guitar is on the 12th Volume of WNCW’s Crowd Around the Mic CD. She and her bands have been voted Best in Blues for 10 years, the last 4 in a row (2016-2019) and in 2008, 2010 and 2016, Peggy was a semi-finalist in the most prestigious Blues competition in the world, The International Blues Challenge held for the past 36 years in Memphis, TN.
In early 2010, Peggy officially released her sophomore album, Infused with the Blues which features 23 of Asheville’s best instrumentalists and vocalists. Kellin Watson, Paula Hanke, Ron Clearfield, Mike Barnes, River Guerguerian, Jonathan Scales, Rhoda Weaver, Duane Simpson, Joey Katkowski, Rob Geisler and more. All gifted musicians and singers, she calls friends. In 2011 she opened for the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Ratusz has also shared the stage with or opened for The Beach Boys, Taj Mahal, Bernard Allison, Denise LaSalle, Candye Kane, Bob Margolin, Geff Achison, Kellin Watson and Shannon Whitworth.
She’s performed at The Bull Durham Blues Festival, Chattanooga’s Riverbend Festival, Carolina Blues Festival, Women In Blues Festival, End of Summer Blues Festival, The Green Swan Festival, Bele Chere and area venues such as The Orange Peel, Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, The Grey Eagle Music Hall, Ambrose West, Jack of the Wood, 5 Walnut and Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues.
Women Who Made Music History Concerts, LLC is her latest endeavor, co-producing and co-starring with local vocalist, Paula Hanke. Since 2016, the pair has successfully aligned themselves within the Performing Arts circuit, garnered a booking agent out of NYC and are currently touring one of their shows, Love is a Rose, that celebrates super star, Linda Ronstadt. www.loveisaroselive.com
An advocate for area and touring musicians, she’s booked bands and singer-songwriters at area bars and restaurants including Jack of the Wood, The Block off Biltmore and Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues. For two years, she hosted a bi-monthly Female Artist Spotlight Night at Tressa’s Jazz & Blues which were paid showcases for women artists of all genres from novice to professional. For several years, she was a teen band music mentor for several area youth bands and is now a volunteer at Girls Rock Asheville. For the past 15 years, Peggy has been a sought after vocal coach,
and her monthly feature, Women Making Music has graced the pages of SOFIA.
Playin’ it forward is the philosophy by which she lives. To be lucky enough to make a living doing what she loves the most and does the best is not something this ruby throated Blues Mama, ever takes for granted.
Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach,
song interpreter, and songwriter.
For vocal coaching email her at
[email protected]