Hal Russell
Hal Russell (born August 28, 1926 in Detroit , † September 5, 1992 in Chicago ; aka Harold Russell Luttenbacher ) was an American jazz musician.
life and career
Although Hal Russell, who was born in Detroit, did not come to Chicago until the 1950s, he is now considered a style icon of the local free jazz scene. He accompanied numerous stars who came on their tours through the city (including Miles Davis , Sonny Rollins and Mildred Bailey ) on drums . The Joe Daley Trio , in which he played around the turn of the 1950s to the 1960s, was one of the first free-playing groups in jazz. Always open to innovations, Russell also played the vibraphone in addition to the drums and , after a 30-year break, picked up his student instrument, the trumpet , until he finally learned to play the instrument at an advanced age , rumored to be dissatisfied with the inability of the saxophonist in his band.
His role models on the various instruments included such diverse musicians as Gene Krupa , Sunny Murray , Miles Davis , Don Cherry and Albert Ayler .
His legacy lies in the extensive repertoire of his most important band, the NRG Ensemble . After numerous line-up changes over the years, he found the ideal cast in saxophonist Mars Williams , drummer and vibraphonist Steve Hunt , bassist Kent Kessler and bassist, trumpeter and electric guitarist Brian Sandstrom .
In humorous original compositions, in which he witnessed the changing development of jazz from swing to free jazz in all its phases, quoting and varying it, he created a springboard for free improvisation for himself and his musicians . As his main work, the story of his life set to music "The Hal Russell Story" can be considered. Shortly after the recordings for this record, Hal Russell died in 1992. For a while, the NRG Ensemble continued with the participation of Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark . He also played in the noise jazz band The Flying Luttenbachers .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Russell, Hal |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Luttenbacher, Harold Russell (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 28, 1926 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Detroit |
| DATE OF DEATH | 5th September 1992 |
| Place of death | Chicago |