Ruth Brewer Eisenberg

Ruth Brewer Eisenberg
With husband, ca. 1927–1928
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPianist
Years active1983–1988
Known forPlaying in piano duo, Ebony and Ivory
StyleClassical
SpouseJacob Eisenberg (musician)
PartnerMargaret Patrick
RelativesMendelson Joe (nephew)

Ruth Brewer Eisenberg (1902–1996) was "Ivory" of "Ebony and Ivory," the inter-racial piano duo. Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick, "Ebony," each had a stroke in 1982, which partially disabled them. Prior to the stroke, each had studied and played classical piano. Eisenberg was disabled on the left, Patrick on the right. They were introduced at a post-stroke group in Englewood, New Jersey by the program's director, who knew of their shared love for music and thought perhaps together, they could play as one. A reporter dubbed them "Ebony and Ivory" after the song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, which was then a hit.