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Frank Russell (bassist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Russell is an American jazz bassist hailing from Chicago, Illinois.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Russell was born in Chicago,Illinois[3] As a teenager he played the drums, guitar and saxophone, before changing to the bass guitar at age 14.

Career

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As well as participating in local Chicago projects,[4] Russell has performed before international audiences, and with The Spaniels, Dee Clark, Dee Dee Warwick, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Corey Wilkes, Freddie Hubbard, Ari Brown and Ramsey Lewis. He has also appeared alongside or recorded with Robert Irving III, Art Porter, Alphonse Mouzon, Red Holt, Mike Wolff, Willie Pickens, Peter Erskine, Ken Chaney[5] and Sugar Blue.

Russell has authored and arranged songs for several of his music industry colleagues, and has collaborated on five recordings with guitarist Henry Johnson.[6] He produced his debut solo album Covering All Basses,[7][8] in 2005, and the follow-up, Circle without End, in 2011.[9][10] The 16-track Circle Without End album project features Miles Davis ensemble alumnus Irving III,[11] Darryl Jones of The Rolling Stones, Wallace Roney, Richard Patterson and Brazilian percussionist Dedé Sampaio.[12] The release has met with praise, and has garnered radio airplay domestically, and internationally.[13]

Russell plays both acoustic and electric bass.[14] Russell hosts bass workshops and clinics at venues across the country.

In 2013, Russell is leading his own band, the Frank Russell Band.[15] The band performed at the 2013 Chicago Jazz Festival.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Noted Chicago Jazz Bassist continues his evolution" Archived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine. Style Magazine.
  2. ^ "Masters of Percussion". Jazz Chicago, Brad Walseth and John Broughton, 2010
  3. ^ "Frank Russell". . Jazz Chicago, November 22, 2009 James Walker
  4. ^ "School of jazz Program lets high school musicians share stage with the pros", March 21, 2004|By Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune.
  5. ^ "Ken Chaney Revels In Traditions Of Jazz". December 28, 1995|By Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune.
  6. ^ Rapport. Rapport Publishing Company. 1994. p. 44.
  7. ^ "Frank Russell, Circle Without End CD review Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine. For Bass Players Only.
  8. ^ "Last Call Review: Frank Russell / Circle Without End / Sonic Portraits" KIOS Radio 91.5. By Chris Cooke Apr 7, 2012
  9. ^ "Frank Russell, Geof Bradfield and Libby York 8/21/13 | Talking Jazz with Mike Jeffers". Chicagojazzrevealed.podbean.com.
  10. ^ "Notes From The Jazz Underground Stays Close To Home | The Barn Presents: Charting The World of Live Music - Chicago, IL". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  11. ^ "Miles Davis Gets Stamp of Approval". Bass Frontiers.September 14, 2012.
  12. ^ "Bassist Frank Russell Comes Full Circle" Archived 2016-07-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Times Weekly, Feb 28, 2012, by Ronald Childs
  13. ^ "Frank Russell - Circle Without End" Archived 2015-09-05 at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Jazz Magazine.
  14. ^ "Frank Russell Regal Theater, Chicago, IL". Review and photos by James Walker, Jr.. Jazz Chicago, Sept. 15, 2010
  15. ^ "Saturday: 2013 Chicago Jazz Festival according to Reader writers". | Music Feature | Chicago Reader
  16. ^ "Chicago Jazz Festival Preview" Archived 2013-07-19 at the Wayback Machine/ Chicago "Jazz Magazine
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