Calvin Ruffin Sr., born in 1924, was a native Washingtonian. His family was very musical. In addition to his brother Isaiah 'Bubba' Ruffin, who sang with the Chantelairs in the early 1950s, the next generation produced son, Calvin Jr., a vocalist and drummer, niece Grace Ruffin sang with The 4 Jewels and her brother Paul who sang with Mask Man and the Agents, nephews, The Stewart brothers, Billy, Johnny, and Frankie, as well as The Bruton Sisters, a gospel trio were all accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists. He did some military service during World War II and then operated a barber shop. In the early 1950s he emerged as a talented pianist and vocalist with a keen interest in the repertoire and sound of Fats Domino.

In 1954, Michael Angelo Graham a talent scout, master of ceremonies and newspaper columnist, paired him with Frank Motley's Crew for a session with the newly launched Josie Records of New York City. The two titles "Crying, Crying" and "I'm Gonna' Miss You" were classic old-school R&B, the former with a hint of New Orleans piano stylings. His 1957 release on Golden Crest of Long Island, New York paired "Hurry, Hurry" with "My Little Home On The Range." The latter followed Fats Domino's approach of personalizing a well-known song with a little New Orleans flair. Ruffin is best remembered for his decade's long tenure as the house pianist at The Market Inn Restaurant near the U.S. Capitol where he entertained locals, tourists, and political big wigs. He died at age 89 in 2013.