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Luis Russell

Luis Russell - piano, bandleader (1902 - 1963)

In his native homeland of Panama, Luis was a multi-instrumentalist. He immigrated to New Orleans, LA, in 1919, where, as a pianist, he often found work in the local saloons and brothels. In the early 1920s, he led some small groups of his own, as well as playing with Albert Nicholas and others. In 1925, he went up to Chicago and played in the King Oliver band. In 1927, he started his own band which was resident in New York City, while often touring.

It was an interesting big band. At one time or another, it had Louis Armstrong on trumpet; 'Big' Sid Catlett on drums; Henry 'Red' Allen on trumpet and J.C. Higginbotham on trombone. At times, the quality of their performances was quite high indeed. His 1929-34 records for showcased some of the best big band music of the period, thanks in part to the support of Pops Foster on bass and Paul Barbarin on drums on a lot of these sessions. There is also featured Coleman Hawkins, Barney Brigard, and Johnny St. Cyr all players who went on to become stars in other bands and on their own.

The band also backed Louis Armstrong on a few of his early orchestra recordings. In 1935, Armstrong took over the band. For eight years, the nucleus of Russell's orchestra primarily functioned as background for the great trumpeter. Luis did stay with the band but left in the early 1940's, and formed a new band of his own. After a few tours, he disbanded, but did continue to lead small groups for specific dates, even while he ran a business outside of music.

Luis was a good musician who did sincerely try to integrate the older New Orleans Dixieland style with the new Swing sound of the day, but did not make any great impact on the wider public. Never-the-less, it was one of the better bands of its day.

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Radio & Podcasts

'E's Got a Big Band, Landlord

Read "'E's Got a Big Band, Landlord" reviewed by Patrick Burnette


After an all-female vocalist episode, let's shift gears at look at some big band albums, shall we? We look at a brand new release with material from the thirties, fresh from somebody's closet, a retro-style outfit having the most fun they can while the pandemic closes in, an Indiana ensemble celebrating an influential Indiana record label, and an arranger for hire let out in the green fields of inspiration. Then in pop matters, quick detours to prison and cover bands..

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Radio

The Luis Russell Story This Week On Riverwalk Jazz

The Luis Russell Story This Week On Riverwalk Jazz

Source: Don Mopsick

This week, Riverwalk Jazz presents the musical legacy of the great 1920s bandleader Luis Russell as his daughter, the magnificent vocalist Catherine Russell joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band with Dick Hyman on piano. The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International. You can also drop in on a continuous stream of shows at the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound. Luis Russell got lucky—he won the lottery! And that money took the teenager from Panama to New ...

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Radio

The Luis Russell Story This Week on Riverwalk Jazz

The Luis Russell Story This Week on Riverwalk Jazz

Source: Don Mopsick

This week, Riverwalk Jazz tells the story of Luis Russell, the renowned pianist, arranger, songwriter and bandleader who backed Louis Armstrong on his rise to stardom and helped pioneer the modern jazz rhythm section. To help pay tribute to his father's legacy, Russell's daughter—the magnificent vocalist Catherine Russell— joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band with Dick Hyman on piano. The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International, on Sirius/XM satellite radio and can be streamed on-demand from ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Luis Russell...

Now Jazz Consortium
2005

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Feelin' The Spirit

Now Jazz Consortium
2002

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Luis Russell...

Unknown label
1993

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1929

Now Jazz Consortium
0

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1931 - Kings Of Swing...

Now Jazz Consortium
0

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1929-1930

Now Jazz Consortium
0

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