Rafael Silva, otherwise known as "-Ruffus", is a saxophonist & pianist hailing from Santos, Brazil.
With a natural passion for music at an early age, he pursued his musical curiosity through the saxophone, after about a year of studies, acquired a clarinet planning on self-teaching, under his sax teacher's guidance and support. It quickly became an obsession, on the following year the same happened to the flute, year after year, instrument after instrument, by age seventeen he self-taught thirteen instruments.
At age 17 he started to teach music at the conservatory he started to learn music 4 years prior.
At 18 years of age moved to São Paulo City (Brazil), to attend to Souza Lima Music College, had the privilege of studying and playing with the likes of: Vitor Alcantara, Proveta, Vinicius Dorin, Mané Silveira, Bob Wyatt, Cindy Borgani, Toninho Horta, Daniel Alcantara, Djalma Lima, and as well come international artists such as: Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Steve Lacy, and David Liebman.
After graduating, was rewarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, moved to the area and quickly became one of the busiest musicians in town.
Between performances and classes: Hal Crook, Greg Osby, Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Benny Golson, Terry Lynn Carrington, Jason Palmer, Filó Machado, Bill Pierce, Ralph Peterson Jr., Frank Tiberi, Ron Mahdi, Danilo Perez, Dave Samuels and more. With performances and mini-tours around many northern states, and an international tour in Peru.
Had the pleasure of playing some festivals and illustrious venues such as: The Blue Note (NYC), Jazz Standards (NYC), JazZone (Lima, Peru), Bitter End (NYC), Regatta Bar (Boston), Beehive (Boston), Wally's Jazz Club (Boston), Sarasota Jazz Festival (SRQ), Sarasota Opera House (SRQ), Reggae Rise Up Festival (Tampa), Florida Groves Festival (Orlando), Michelle's Piano Co. (Portland, OR) .
