Born in Sioux City Iowa, Russell grew up in a family of
musicians and started playing drums on his father's knee
at age 5. Both grandfathers were professional musicians.
His mother's father was a "boogie-woogie" piano player
and his father's father was a jazz trumpet player and big
band orchestra leader. His father was a jazz drummer who
played with the "Ink Spots". His two brothers were a
trumpet player and a sax player, and both played drums as
well. His love for drums drove him to pursue this calling. At
12 he started playing gigs at his grandfather's nightclub
and by the time he was 19 he was playing with Chuck
Berry. The following year he played with Muddy Waters.
He moved to New York City and studied with Roy Haynes
as well as attended jazz workshops in Harlem. From 1974
to 1976 he toured and recorded with rock legend, Tommy
Bolin. In 1977 he studied East Indian rythms with Colin
Walcott at Naropa Institute, Boulder Colorado. From
1979-1981 he played with jazz legend, Freddy Hubbard
and in 1981 played with Bo Diddly. 1982-1990 he
toured with Jose Feliciano. He recorded for the Laverne &
Shirley Show, under Bennett Salvey, the Merv Griffin Show
under Mort Lindsey, musical director between 1983 and
1985 during down time from touring. Later he also
recorded for the Northern Exposure TV series. The
Independent film, "Stanley's Gig" also featured his talents
on the sound track. He played with French pop icon,
Michel Jonasz from 1997 to 1998. Studied with
International jazz drummer, Billy Higgins in 1998. Between
tours he spent his time recording and performing in the LA
area.He has worked and recorded with a large variety of artists
including Jimmy Smith, Billy Preston, Robben Ford, Jeff
Berlin, Raul De Sousa, Jose Jose, Carol Kaye, Jane Getz,
Eric Reed, Eric Marienthal, Wilton Felder, Rob Mullins,
Ravi Coltrane, Dale Fielder Quartet, Michael Ruff, Mike
Miller, the Fowler Brothers Air Pocket Band(former
members of the Frank Zappa Band), Michel Danton, Steve
Barta, Barry Wedgle, Kim Stone, Tom Scott , Rick
Zunigar, George Bohanon, John Heard, Frank Zottoli,
Ronald Muldrow, Dwight Trible, Kenny Garrett and many more...
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Jose Feliciano - I Wanna Be Where You Are (Motown)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqDAKDO7sYY
Jose Feliciano - Billy Jean (nr2 -Michael Jackson 80s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6c59jQO64
Smokey Robinson (A Black American)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpsGhmvVMKc
