For almost 30 years, drummer/singer Russ Wilson has worked as a professional musician and made a name for himself performing many varying styles of music including Rock, Country, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Dixieland, Big Band Swing, Bebop, pit work for Broadway style shows and Symphonic music. Of all these, Jazz remains his first true love!
Russ has had the “gracious opportunity” to share the stage with quite a few famous musicians: Jimmy Thackery (The Nighthawks and The Drivers); Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds); Mookie Brill (world renowned singer and musician); Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist for 25 years); Chicago Bob Nelson (The Heartfixers), Jerry “Boogie” McCain (She’s Tough!); Charlie Musselwhite (world famous Harmonica player); Calvin “Fuzz” Jones (Bass player for Muddy Waters & Howlin’ Wolf); David Johansen (New York Dolls), Levon Helm (The Band); Carey Bell (world famous harmonica player), Skeeter Brandon (Hwy 61); Chris Thomas King (Oh Brother Where Art Thou); Dave Maxwell (pianist with Freddie King); and Bob Margolin (guitarist for Muddy Waters) – just to name a few!
Since 1989, Russ has played drums and vocalized on 30 albums – seven of those being his own projects, and most recently he was in the studio laying down tracks for Bruce Lang’s new country album.
I asked Russ how he got started. “I grew up in Hendersonville (believe it or not!) and was in the school band from 5th grade up through graduation. My dad got me into music, though he was not a musician himself. He’d bought those Reader’s Digest boxed sets of big band records and I played those things over and over. Being a big fan of Benny Goodman, I decided to play the clarinet, but then I heard Gene Krupa and had absolutely no interest in the clarinet anymore. I took up the drums and it’s been a downhill slide ever since. After high school, I went to Appalachian State University to “further” my education. I ran out of money 2 1/2 years later and became a fulltime professional musician. And that’s been a downhill slide ever since, too. LOL!”
After touring and traveling for many years, playing with various blues bands, Russ decided to start one of his own. With the help of his good friend guitarist Marc Brookshire, they formed The Mighty Mighty Men in 2001. In late 2003, he started his second musical organization called The Nouveau-Pass Orchestra playing the music that he’d grown up listening to – vintage jazz and dance band music of the 20’s and 30’s. The orchestra ranges in size from 14 pieces to a 35-piece concert orchestra.
Then, if that weren’t enough, he formed a smaller version of the NPO called The Russ Wilson Swingtette. He’s also co-leader of a quartet called The Swingtones, and most recently started a new group playing Rockabilly and Honky Tonk Country called The Ashevegas Playboys and if THAT weren’t enough, Russ is also percussionist/vocalist for the Hawaiian/Exotica group called Kon Tiki, Wendy Hayes, Heather Masterton and the Firecracker Jazz Band.
When asked what inspires him, he replied, “The music inspires me. Although I’ve been an avid record collector for over 30 years, I’ve wanted to go beyond just listening to the music. I’ve wanted to recreate that vintage music, that vintage sound. That’s what’s inspired me and still does.”
In 2007, Russ made his premier as conductor with his orchestra performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Since then he’s directed numerous concerts and shows, most notably the music of the “King of Jazz” Paul Whiteman in The Pops Concert with his 35 piece concert orchestra, plus his annual Art Deco Revue. Russ recently finished his latest concert “I Got Rhythm” and is now making plans to do Rhapsody in Blue again in 2012.
“It is always pleasure to perform with Russ. In addition to his well expressed respect for each musician with whom he shares the stage, he brings his passion for the material to every performance. His passion is palpable and as a result, the performers can’t help but enjoy themselves. It’s a great time!” ~ singer Wendy Hayes