Blue Jersey Band
Overview
Blue Jersey Band plays Acoustic Swing on guitars and mandolin- European-style, instrumental, cafe music. Two-time NJ Guitar Champion, Frank Ruck, plays both guitar and mandolin with accompanist, Ellen Wolff, on guitar. Blue Jersey Band can be configured as a duet or add a bass player. Musical selections are taken from the jazz/swing era, as well as contemporary melodies.
Complete battery-powered PA system is available, as well as, 2 sizes of electric amplification.
Reviews
2 reviews
Brooke C.
August 7, 2025Best of the best!
We can’t say enough great things about Blue Jersey Band! Our residents absolutely loved them—their energy, enthusiasm, and friendly nature truly made the event special. This dynamic duo went above and beyond to make sure everyone was having a great time, engaging with residents and working hard behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their dedication and positive attitude didn’t go unnoticed, and we’ve already received so many compliments thanks to their efforts. We would welcome them back in a heartbeat!
Hired as: Acoustic Band, Guitarist
Dan L. P. C. F. O. T. L.
April 19, 2017Great time at the Sundays at Three Concert
This band reminded me of the movie, "Oh Brother Where Art thou" starring George Clooney. Their patter was fun and the song selections almost unique. I especially liked the old style country tunes from the 1920's and 1930's. I don't get to hear those much anymore..
Hired as: Acoustic Band
Blue Jersey Band
Thanks, Dan for the nice review. Hope to do another (and different) show for your group sometime.
Booking information
Price range: Starting at $275
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - coverage through Insurance Canopy
What to expect
Blue Jersey Band offers 3 different shows: instrumental European Swing, on acoustic guitars and mandolin; bluegrass band with bass player; and a variety show featuring tunes from 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, with vocals. We provide sound amplification for a variety of room sizes including outdoors; and battery-operated amplifiers for non-electric venues.
About
Frank Ruck, originally from the Jersey Shore area of NJ, started playing guitar at a young age but then went to Rowan University as a piano major. In the 1980’s, he won the NJ Traditional Styles Guitar Championship two times and then he traveled to Winfield, Kansas to compete in the National Flatpicking Championship. He took up mandolin at age 40 and now plays it alongside his guitar. He is currently studying the gypsy jazz styles of guitar.
Ellen Wolff-Ruck started playing guitar at age 10. She was a guitar teacher at age 16 for the Guitar Workshop in Roslyn, NY. She has continued studying jazz and gypsy styles at Frank Vignola's Gypsy Jam Camps. Over the years, she has also played classical recorder with several ensembles, taught guitar, and collaborated with Frank in several bands. She is also the sound engineer for the band, as well as, the band’s agent/manager.
Blue Jersey Band has bass players from the Berklee School of Music and Rutgers/Mason Gross School for the Performing Arts.
Additional booking notes
Blue Jersey Band has a variety of sound setups for various room sizes, including battery-operated units for non-electric venues.
Past booked events
August 2025
29
Friday
Corporate Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Plainsboro, NJ
02
Saturday
Corporate Event
11:00am - 1:00pm
•
Plainsboro, NJ
Influences and inspiration
Our influences include: Django Reinhardt, Tony Rice, Freddie Green, Gershwin, Joscho Stephan.