Formed in 1955, the Mitchell-Ruff Duo was said in 1987 to be the oldest continuous jazz group. In 1959 Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff introduced Soviet audiences to American jazz and then performed worldwide. Among the group’s recordings was Enduring Magic (Blackhawk Recordings, BKH51801). Under the auspices of WUNC-FM in Chapel Hill, N.C., the group performed at the National Humanities Center, where they recorded this interview, joined by Gary Shivers of WUNC-FM.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
