Maddy Ruff

Maddy Ruff is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter with the no-nonsense sass of a true New Yorker. A Broadway Baby, born and raised in Manhattan, Ruff’s musical influences come from all over the map. Ruff has a penchant for rock and roll, but it won’t surprise you that she has a background in both jazz and opera as well.

As frontwoman of her band The Ruff Riders, she draws comparisons to the emotional vocals and beefy musicality of Amy Winehouse and Fiona Apple. Ruff’s old school, bluesy vocals blended with modern writing create a truly unique sound.

Ruff was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 16, when a tumor was found in her
left ankle. She ultimately won her year-long battle with cancer, but not before earning a few battle scars, including the amputation of her left leg.

While studying voice at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Maddy began penning fan- favorites like
“Close the Door” and “Don’t Fall”, the title track to her debut album. Her experiences during cancer treatment provided the inspiration for another favorite on the album: the emotionally charged “Tell Me Not to Worry”, which she began writing during a fever ridden drive to the hospital. She recently re-recorded and released the track in honor of her 10 year survival in early 2017.

As a two-time cancer survivor and amputee, Ruff performs on a high-heeled prosthetic leg that she jokingly refers to as her “Barbie foot.” Ruff’s confidence, maturity,
and sense of humor shine in her songs.