I
started playing the guitar when I was ten years old, at first inspired
by the “British Invasion” bands of the 60s. Later, I fell under the
spell of Hendrix, Townshend and B.B. King. (I was a closet country
guitar fan, too, but didn’t dare admit it in high school!)
Then,
at about age 17, I discovered the music of Django Reinhardt. This
opened up my musical world for good. Since then, jazz has
been my main area of musical activity... but I still love the stuff that
got me started. (Sometimes that bothers people who think jazz
guitarists should wear suits and sit on stools playing big fat
hollowbodies with heavy strings.)
After
getting out of school, I spent about twelve years based in Atlanta, GA
and did a lot of show, studio and concert work there. I joined the
faculty at the University of North
Carolina Wilmington in 1995 and am
still happily teaching there. Apart from teaching, I’ve also released
two CDs, played a
whole bunch of concerts and shows... and started this
web site. A lot of folks seem to enjoy the lessons
page. I hope you will find helpful stuff here!
Drop me a line... bobrussell@ec.rr.com
Drop me a line... bobrussell@ec.rr.com
My
first CD. A solo effort on which I played all tracks and wrote all the
tunes. It's in more of a "fusion" mood than the trio CD.Click it to hear samples and buy it!
My
trio CD, recorded live in the studio. A mix of standards and originals.Click it to order or just check it out!
On heavy rotation in my iPod:
The South of Everywhere, Jonathan Kreisberg
The Remedy Live , Kurt Rosenwinkel
New For Now, Jonathan Kreisberg
The Sun Years , Johnny Cash
Lifeboat , Jimmy Herring