ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
The Ruby Rogers Experience is a versatile original funk band that moves effortlessly through jazz, soul and blues. This six piece band astounds audiences with musical imagination, interplay and energy. Each member contributes super grooves, superb solos and sensational hooks. 'The Experience' is unforgettable.
"Think of your favourite soul, funk, blues & groove artists, slice em’, dice em’, & spice em’ with a teeny bit of jazz. Our original pieces are inspired by the greats".
​
MEMBERS
Adam Rudegeair
Piano
Adam is a composer, performer and multi- instrumentalist based in Melbourne, Australia. His musical interests cover a wide terrain, from Minneapolis funk to New Orleans R+B, Film Noir soundtracks and Afrofuturist groups such as Parliament, Sun Ra, and Janelle Monae.
Adam works in many diverse groups such as The Ruby Rogers Experience, Henry Manetta and The Trip, Glasfrosch, and Lake Minnetonka. He has also recorded three full-length solo albums, Transmogrify (2004) and Bayou Tapestry (2011), and The Bowie Project (2015), which was launched at a sold-out show at Stonnington Jazz Festival 2015. Adam released a collaborative album with legendary pianist Bob Sedergreen, entitled Bourbon St to Brunswick St: Live at the Paris Cat in October 2015.
Adam presents the jazz show Black Wax every Monday on PBS 106.7fm. He teaches keyboard and performance ensembles at the Australian College of the Arts (‘Collarts’).
Phil Hayter
Saxophone
Phil Hayter has been a professional musician since his undergraduate days completing his Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance. He has worked far and wide across many genres in settings ranging from nightclubs and jazz clubs to corporate functions and festivals in Asia and across Australia.
Some moments of his career have included touring Thailand and Malaysia with a hip hop/house club act, playing a feature performance at the Mont Kiara Jazz Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; being the guest artist for International Music House in Kuching, Sarawak; being a finalist with a 12 piece Merengue and salsa band at a national Latin band competition; working corporate functions in Alice Springs and Townsville; and leading his own groups at jazz clubs and festivals.
Phil has had two books of compositions and five solo pieces published by JozzBeat Music Publishers. He now works as a music educator in Melbourne and performs regularly with The Ruby Rogers Experience and Melbourne latin, jazz, soul and DJ acts.
Sammy Polutos
Guitarist
Guitarist, Sammy Polutos', influences include blues greats Buddy Guy, Freddie King and Robben Ford; jazz greats John McLaughlin, Miles Davis and Al Di Meola; rock greats Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and John Mayer.
He is lead guitarist and songwriter for originals band ‘Never Never’ who have just recorded their debut EP, ‘A Way Out’, with renowned Aria award winning Australian producer Wayne Connolly at Albert studios in Sydney.
Sammy has collaborated with some of Australia’s most popular Hip Hop acts including Pez & 360. In particular, his collaboration with Pez led to co-writing the popular 2013 single ‘The Game’ which sold over 30,000 copies and placed on the Aria charts.
Sammy is passionate about music and having his own unique voice. His emotive playing combined with an inventive approach to improvising make him the perfect guitarist for The Ruby Rogers Experience,
​
Anthony Pell
Bass
Anthony Pell has played bass guitar, double bass and guitar for over twenty years in numerous Melbourne bands and has performed at the Grampians and Wangaratta jazz festivals. Apart from playing bass in The Ruby Rogers Experience, he also plays double bass in the jazz band Trumpet and guitar in the acoustic duo Deuawd.
Influenced by a range of bassists including James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorious, Flea and Rufus Reid.
As a dynamic and well versed musician, Anthony also has a music degree which encompassed classical composition and audio engineering components. He has also written and recorded production music for TV, film and video.
Anthony also has recorded electronic/funk/jazz groove music under the name of Apell, releasing 3 studio albums online.
Anthony teaches bass guitar and guitar to 30-40 students a week in his home studio.
​
Dean Constable
Drums
Dean Constable began playing drums at an early age influenced by his father’s exceptional drumming skills and superb jazz and funk collection. His father, Bruce Constable, played with the NSW Police Band, The Barry Conyngham Trio and was a sought after jazz drummer on the Sydney scene.
Dean has played and recorded with rock, fusion and blues bands around Sydney and Melbourne including Rising Tide, The Matthew Hickey Band and Adam Lean’s acid jazz project - Planetlilu.
Dean spent time in London and studied electric bass with Terry Gregory (Steve Hackett, Martin Taylor) and briefly with Andrew McKinney (James Taylor Quartet). Whilst there he formed a big band.
Dean has studied with Dave Weckl, John Miceli, Bruce Constable and is currently studying privately with Darryn Farrugia.
In 2016 Dean is drumming with The Ruby Rogers Experience, The Nautical Sunsets and The Foes of Mo.
Dean fell in love with rhythm and melody as a result of his father's influence and the legacy continues with his 12 year old son Harvey on drums with blues band Limelight!
The Ruby Rogers Experience hopes to foster young talent and feature Harvey Constable in the near future.
Melinda Traves
Singer
Singer, Melinda Traves, says Ruby Rogers is somewhere inside us all. The part of us that feels free to express themselves and live in the moment. The kind of expression she has admired in vocalists like Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Sharon Jones, Renee Geyer and Kylie Audist. Vocalists that find their unique style and sound.
With gifted players, Melinda can explore the range of styles she has appreciated for so long - from the melodic complexities of jazz, the gutsy, raw nature of blues and the power of soul. Put it all together and that’s what she’s about - the journey and the experience.
​