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Bill Murray and Kermit Ruffins Perform “The Bare Necessities” for THE JUNGLE BOOK

Audiences flocked to The Jungle Book this weekend and the responses on social media have been insanely positive. Well, if you were one of the people who loved it, we’ve got a treat for you. Today we have a new track with Bill Murray who voices Baloo the Bear and long time Basin Street artist Kermit Ruffins singing “The Bare Necessities.” Disney Music released the video (which is actually audio only) with the new version on their VEVO channel.

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This version was recorded in New Orleans with Murray and trumpeter Ruffins back in 2014. Nola.com reports that director Jon Favreau, Murray, and Christopher Walken (the voice of King Louie) recorded at the Music Shed and Esplanade Studios in the city to “add a little New Orleans flavor” to the soundtrack for the film. You can also hear this version in the closing credits of the film.

The duet between Murray and Ruffins is, of course, on the official soundtrack. “The Bare Necessities” was written by Terry Gilkyson for the 1967 animated Disney film, where it was sung by Phil Harris who voiced Baloo, and Bruce Reitherman who voiced Mowgli. The song was nominated for an Academy Award that year for Best Original Song. The original trumpet solo is thought to have been played by Cappy Lewis. In the film, the song is performed by Murray and Neel Sethi who plays Mowgli.

Ruffins co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band in 1983 as well as the Barbecue Swingers in 1992 and actually cooks barbecue at his shows. He appeared as himself in the HBO series Tremé. According to a press release, Ruffins and the Rebirth Brass Band will be performing at The White House for the UNESCO International Jazz Day concert with Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, and more. You’ll be able to watch that on ABC on April 30, 2016. Check out the video and tweet at @Nerdist, and let us know what you think!

Don’t miss our interview with director Jon Favreau and star of Disney’s new live action Jungle Book, Neel Sethi:

Image credit: Fox, Jon Favreau Instagram

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