"Those I most revere are intuitives who can tap into the soul----and it can come out beautiful and sublime, ragged, obvious or mysterious, but you feel you are listening to something honest and uncontrived."

A disparate group of musicians, The Ruminators' diverse personalities and musical histories create a wholly new blend. A somewhat sphynxian stage presence, guitarist and singer Scherer's restrained intensity belies the heartfelt passion and cathartic nature of his songs. His musical influences lean toward the folk music of the United States and the British Isles mixed with a key sixties-era ingredient of experimentation and cross-pollenization----separating The Ruminators from folk purists.

"I have no interest in re-creating, really, reinterpreting and personalizing----making a particular style your own is where it's at."

Ruminator singer, Jennifer Goudeau, has a voice whose range of expression extends from a sultry soulfullness to the delicate caress of a ballad. Coming from a jazz background, Jennifer sings with the phrasing and warm seductive sonance reminiscent of the leading female singers of the genre.

Current line-up includes original drummer Jonathan Brown, bassist Jeff Martin (the featured bassist of Joanne Rand and the little Big Band), multi-instrumentalist Terry Gillette, an accomplished violinist who also plays mandolin, flute and guitar (also a member of Spiral Bound), and accordianist/keyboardist Ron Stinnett.

The Ruminators have recently released their second full-length recording titled "WILD WEST" on JACKALOPE RECORDS. This 16-song collection is a feast of musical colors, worlds, and imagery, showcasing the broad musical scope and invention the group----from the Eastern European opening and closing instrumentals "Behind the Curtain" and "Gypsy Lullaby" to the psychedelic folk-funk of "Wild West" to the countryish "You Are the One" to the Celtic ballads "If I Had" and "The Night".

San Francisco Chronicle writer, Paul Wilner, reviewing a recent Sonoma County JACKALOPE CD collection of artists entitled "CONNECTIONS" singled out The Ruminators and aptly described their music as "music for the mind, body and soul."