Kermit Ruffins is from New Orleans, specifically the Treme area. He and Phil Frazier started the Rebirth Brass Band in the early 1980's. Kermit left the band in the early 1990's , and struck out on his own- to great success. He and Rebirth are still closely associated.Kermit is much beloved in his home town, and is thought of as 'Mr Treme'. He is featured in the HBO series 'Treme'. Read more on Last.fm