Photo: by Reginald Jackson

"While the tradition of Afro-American music dates back to the early work chants and ceremonial songs of African slaves, the many musical manifestations of this tradition in our century, such as blues, jazz and gospel music to name the most obvious examples -- have evolved into an extraordinarily rich musical heritage which has flourished as an oral tradition for more than a century through the "Conservatory Without Walls."

Traditionally, the performers who have studied in this unstructured institution have developed their talents beyond the confines of a classroom - in cotton fields, in the ghetto, in night clubs and in churches.

Membership in this school involves paying heavy dues. No degrees are conferred, and there are no Phi Beta Kappa keys awarded for excellence. There is, however, a rather loosely-knit society of performers who are recognized by their peers as truly great musicians. These great musicians exert informal leadership and become the "professors" in the "conservatory without walls," providing inspiration and giving guidance to the next generation of students.

Yale University, in its Duke Ellington Fellowship Program, will try to capture the essence and spirit of the conservatory so that the teachings of its professors and the traditions which the represent may be studied and preserved."

- Willie Ruff, 1972

Willie Ruff, hornist and bassist holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Yale. With pianist Dwike Mitchell as the Mitchell-Ruff Duo, he performs and lectures extensively in the United States, Asia, Africa and Europe. A faculty member since 1971, he concertizes regularly on campus and teaches an Interdisciplinary Seminar on Rhythm and Instrumental Arranging in the School of Music. He has taught several Yale College courses in African American Studies, Ethnomusicology and Folklore, conducted various student ensembles and is founding Director of the Duke Ellington Fellowship Program, a University sponsored, community based organization that mentors young artists from both Yale and the New Haven Public School System. Since 1972 the Ellington Fellows Program has sponsored world-class jazz artists in campus workshops and public Showcase featuring student talent. Ruff's 1992 memoir, "A Call to Assembly," was awarded the Deems Taylor ASCAP award. He has also written widely on Paul Hindemith, one of his teachers at Yale, and on his professional association with the American composers Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. He has collaborated with Yale geologist, John Rodgers, on the Musical astronomy of the noted 17th century scientist, Johannes Kepler. Professor Ruff has published articles on music and dance in Russia, and on the introduction of American Jazz in China where he has both performed extensively and presented public lectures in Mandarin. His next book, "Six Roads to Chicago" explores the relation of culture in Chicago to life in its hinterlands.