Peggy Ratusz

artist bio:

Peggy Ratusz – Playin’ it Forward.

Blues/Jazz/Swing & Soul chanteuse, Peggy Ratusz has a crystal clear, swanky, funky and fun range of nostalgic to modern vocal stylings that effectively transmits the groove and the lyrical content. She’s been honing her craft for over thirty five years. And for the past ten, she’s either won or placed in the Western North Carolina Readers poll for Best in Blues. This year, she was named Best Vocalist and was also voted as the regional artist who gives back to the community the most. 

With her stellar backing instrumentalists, this “ruby-throated” International Blues Challenge semifinalist 2008, 2010 and 2015, thrives on sharing her interpretations and influences from all kinds of stages: Wedding Receptions, Cocktail Hours, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate themed events, Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s, Festivals, Clubs and dinner theaters. She’s opened for the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the late great, Sean Costello (Susan Tedeschi Band’s guitarist), Geoff Atchison, Taj Mahal, Denise LaSalle and Mac Arnold and Plate Ful O’ Blues.

Repeat clients like Chattanooga’s Riverbend Festival, Omni Grove Park Inn, The Inn at Biltmore Estate, The Cliffs at Keowee, know they can count on Peggy to provide just the right playlist with the skill set to execute it. Accolades always mention her professionalism and include how easy she and her accomplished players are, to get along with.

You’ll hear an array of delightful and delicious Swing and American songbook Jazz, jumpin as well as slow burning Blues, Old School R&B and Soul.  Her influences range from Bessie Smith to Elvis Presley, Smokey Robinson to Bonnie Raitt, Frank Sinatra & Jobim to Wilson Picket & Aretha Franklin, from Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Ray Charles to Imelda May & Stevie Ray Vaughn. She and her Daddies are ready to Swing your reception or private party. But if its background music you need, or if you just want to enhance a cocktail hour, she and her impeccable duo or trio can adapt to any ambience you wish to create.  

You’ll find this matriarch behind the scenes a well. She books a singer songwriter in the round and a “Female Artist Spotlight Night.”  “Women Making Music” is the column she writes each month for WNC Woman Magazine and is a vocal coach to students who range from novice to professional. Playin’ it forward is her motto and her calling.