The Glasgow-based seven-piece talk Despedida La Bodega, Blue Note roots, Latin grooves, and taking jazz beyond the usual crowd.
The Jack Ruby 5 are the kind of band that can make jazz feel welcoming without sanding the interesting bits off. Formed in 2014, they started out playing classic repertoire from the Blue Note catalogue, before moving towards their own original soul-jazz material.
Based around Glasgow, with links to Motherwell, Dunoon and Biggar, the band pull together mod jazz, blues, samba and Latin grooves, usually with seven or eight musicians in the mix. That gives them plenty to play with live: horns, keys, percussion, guitar, shifting dynamics and enough movement to catch the ear of folk who might not normally head straight for jazz.
Their debut album, Despedida La Bodega, was released on vinyl through Strength in Numbers Records, and it feels properly rooted in place. Described as an homage to Glasgow’s fading cultural fabric, the record includes titles like Kelvingrove Street and Rainy Night in Shettleston, carrying a sense of the city through soulful grooves, cinematic touches and a few sharp edges.The response has been strong too. Lance Liddle of Bebop Spoken Here said, “Turn it up loud, the neighbours won’t complain!”, while Soweto Kinch on BBC Radio 3’s Round Midnight Show noted, “There is so much atmosphere in their sound”.
Ahead of their Belladrum appearance, we caught up with The Jack Ruby 5 to talk Glasgow, groove, jazz that reaches beyond the usual crowd, and what people can expect if they find them in a field this summer.
For readers who have not caught you yet, who are The Jack Ruby 5 and how would you describe what you do?
We are a Glasgow based band with links to Motherwell, Dunoon and Biggar. We play Soul Jazz original material and classic ‘Blue Note/Atlantic’ style classic jazz tracks
You are Glasgow/Dunoon based and pull together jazz, blues and samba. How did that sound come about?
It’s what we listen to and love, simple as that! We played in various other bands but got tired of playing ‘rock based’ genre, so gave it a go and the jazz came out in the wash cycle
Your debut album Despedida La Bodega came out on vinyl through Strength in Numbers Records. How does it feel to have the first album properly out in the world?
An achievement, and happy with the result. Our original compositions have met with much positive feedback even from ‘non-jazzers’. It’s accessible with a range of influences
The record has a strong sense of place, with titles like Kelvingrove Street and Rainy Night in Shettleston. How much does Glasgow feed into the music?
It’s all part of a mysterious concept which kicked off in La Bodega South Street Glasgow where we used to play and developed our sound.
There are seven of you in the band. What does that size of line-up let you do live that a smaller group could not?
Sometimes we are 8 or more! The range of instruments [horns, keys, percussion, guitar etc] allows for diversity and a change in dynamics. Sometimes the band cuts back to a quartet during a tune then builds back again.
The album has been described as music that swings nicely over a Latin rhythm. Is getting people moving an important part of what The Jack Ruby 5 are about?
We like to create a soulful groove but there’s some sharp angles and dissonance in there at times. That gives the audience a wee challenge to consider.
You are heading to Belladrum this summer. What should people expect if they wander over and find The Jack Ruby 5 for the first time?
Great vibes! Melody, Danceable grooves and other good stuff in the mix
The Jack Ruby 5 sound like a very good reason to take a wander at Belladrum. There is enough groove to pull people in, enough musicianship to keep the jazz heads happy, and enough Glasgow character to stop it feeling like anything too polite or museum-piece.
Whether they are leaning into their own material or putting their stamp on jazz standards, this feels like jazz made for a crowd, not just for the corner of a record shop. If you are already into soul-jazz, they should be on your list. If you are not sure you are into jazz at all, they might be exactly the kind of band to change your mind.
The Jack Ruby 5 perform on the Icehouse Stage, Belladrum 2026 on Thursday at 915pm
