Stephen comes from a family of gifted musicians. He received a thorough classical training, and has been performing since the age of five.He has twenty five years of extensive sideman experience with international jazz artists such as James Morrison, Dale Barlow, Richie Cole, Chuck Findlay, Georgie Fame, Gerry Mulligan and Nancy Williams, contemporary Australian musicians Mark Simmonds, Bernie McGann, Jim Kelly, Bob Gebert, Tommy Emmanuel and Roger Frampton, and Australian jazz icons Don Burrows and George Golla. He also has considerable experience in most contemporary styles of music, and recording experience ranging from a plethora of TV and radio jingles to contemporary jazz discs like Jim Kelly's "Salient Points," the Baartz Freeman Sextet's "Southeast", Sharny Russell's "A Good Thing On Hold", and "Transit Lounge" with blues artist Ross Ward. He also composes original music for improvisation, featured on his CD, "When The Light Comes".Stephen was for several years musical director of the highly acclaimed (and greatly employed) Brisbane jazz outfit, Leah Cotterell and Bebopera. The Steve Russell Trio was engaged weekly for two years at the Jazz'n'Blues Bar at the Brisbane City Travelodge, and his jazz/fusion quintet, Real Time, featuring Tony Buchanan, drew consistently large audiences.He was for two years Associate Lecturer and for one Acting Coordinator of the Jazz and Popular Music strand of the Bachelor of Arts, Music, program at the Queensland University of Technology, and is presently teaching piano and ensemble studies in the Bachelor of Arts at Southern Cross University.Stephen's 2001 debut as a conductor for White Dove's critically acclaimed production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," has led to further invitations to conduct orchestras in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, and his performances with the hugely successful Women In Voice in 2001, 2003 and 2004 have enhanced his reputation as an accompanist.2001 also saw Steve dust off his vocal chords and develop a repertoire of his favorite jazz standards and R&B songs. Busy this year with the reunion of acclaimed Sydney fusion band, 'Crossfire', Steve is also presently performing with Northern Rivers local luminaries such as Leigh Carriage, Jack Thorncraft and Jim Kelly, working as Musical Director for singer Grace Knight, writing new repertoire for his own quintet, while continuing to develop his skills as a teacher.
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