Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Stratusphunk (George Russell) - The Subject Is Jazz


http://www.billytaylorjazz.net presents an excerpt from the 1958 tv program, "The Subject is Jazz," featuring George Russell's composition and arrangement, "Stratusphunk," with:
Bill Evans on piano,
Art Farmer, trumpet,
Jimmy Cleveland, trombone,
Gene Quill, alto,
Ed Thigpen, drums.

Jazz Composer George Russell Dies at 86

BOSTON--Jazz composer George Russell, a MacArthur fellow whose theories influenced the modal music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, has died.
His publicist says Russell, who taught at the New England Conservatory, died Monday in Boston at age 86 of complications from Alzheimer's.

Russell was born in Cincinnati in 1923 and attended Wilberforce University. He played drums in Benny Carter's band and later wrote “Cubano Be/Cubano Bop" for Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra. It premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1947 and was the first fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz.
Russell developed the Lydian concept in 1953. It's credited as the first theoretical contribution from jazz.
Russell is survived by his wife, his son and three grandchildren. A release says a memorial service will be planned.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=40045/

Monday, December 8, 2008

Billy Taylor / George Russell / Bill Evans....



episode of Billy Taylor's' 1958 TV show, "The Subject Is Jazz," featuring Bill Evans, Tony Scott, Art Farmer, Jimmy Cleveland, Doc Severinsen, Ed Thigpen, Mundell Lowe, Eddie Safranski and George Russell.