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Russ Nolan

Consistently voted onto DownBeat magazine’s Rising Star Annual Critics Poll and featured in the 2016 September Indie Life section, Russ Nolan’s music is often described as High-Energy Modern Jazz that both satisfies the intellect of its musical peers and speaks to everyone on a soulful level. Called a ‘renaissance man’ by those close to him, he has taken his experiences in sports, martial arts, business, after-school program volunteering, music education, and other activities to relate to a wider audience. His 2016 release of Sanctuary from the Ordinary – Live at Firehouse 12 was voted onto DownBeat’s Best of 2016. Previous recordings include With You In Mind with the Kenny Werner Trio. JazzLabNY – Adult Jazz Workshops and Small Groups: Russ is also the Artistic Director of JazzLabNY, a community where adult jazz musicians who make their living outside of music can play and study in a regular, ongoing small group setting. Find your spot with us at http://www.jazzlabny.com

Awards

DownBeat magazine’s Rising Star Annual Critics Poll 2015-2021


Tags

13
Album Review

Russ Nolan: Sin Fronteras

Read "Sin Fronteras" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Sin Fronteras (without borders) is the self-titled debut album from a New York-based quartet established by an internationally-recognized group of Latin and Modern jazz musicians hailing from Colombia, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Chicago. Led by saxophonist and Latin jazz proponent Russ Nolan, the band includes Swiss pianist Manu Koch, Bulgarian bassist Trifon Dimitrov and Colombian drummer Juan Felipe Mayorga--together performing a variety of styles of music designed to appeal to anyone regardless of heritage. The band's goal was not ...

3
Album Review

Russ Nolan: Relentless

Read "Relentless" reviewed by Jeffrey Uhrich


Latin rhythms and Afro-Cuban beats abound throughout Relentless, saxophonist Russ Nolan's strong follow-up to the well-received Tell Me (Rhinocerouss Music, 2012). All of the tracks contained in Relentless are infused with a sharp rhythmic sensibility displaying Nolan's talent as a saxophonist while ensuring that the heavy influence of salsa and Latin-based rhythms shine throughout each piece. Nolan and his sidemen exude energy and spontaneity throughout the eight numbers contained on this disc, six of which are Nolan original compositions.

3
Album Review

Russ Nolan: Tell Me

Read "Tell Me" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


While saxophonist Russ Nolan's move from Chicago to New York in 2002 was an important turning point in his career, his subsequent immersion in the New York Salsa dancing world has had an even greater impact on his music. Nolan learned to free his body and his mind to the effects of the rhythms as they washed over his very being, and he's allowed this same mindset to seep into his music. Tell Me is all about ...

131
Album Review

Russ Nolan and the Kenny Werner Trio: With You in Mind

Read "With You in Mind" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Two Colors (Rhinoceruss, 2004), the first release from saxophonist Russ Nolan as a leader, impressed by virtue of an exquisite partnership with pianist Sam Barsh and the leader's convincing command of both tenor and soprano saxophones. The saxophonist's sophomore effort, With You in Mind, reprises his traditional approach in the context of pianist Kenny Werner's superb piano trio. Nolan's affinity for pianists is again readily apparent on a varied musical program that includes paeans to Trane, Monk and drummer Billy ...

114
Album Review

Russ Nolan: With You In Mind

Read "With You In Mind" reviewed by Lyn Horton


It's a feat for a musician to integrate seamlessly into playing within a well-known musical group that is accustomed to playing on its own. This is the tale of saxophonist Russ Nolan, whose release with pianist Kenny Werner's trio, With You In Mind, is a dream come true.

All the compositions on the recording were written by Nolan, except for John Coltrane's “Naima," which the saxophonist arranged.

The texture of the music weaves threads of clear direction and touch. Contrasting ...

128
Album Review

Russ Nolan and the Kenny Werner Trio: With You in Mind

Read "With You in Mind" reviewed by Greg Camphire


With You in Mind is saxophonist Russ Nolan's sophomore effort as a leader, and benefits from the inclusion of pianist Kenny Werner's longstanding trio featuring drummer Ari Hoenig and bassist Johannes Weidenmueller, which simultaneously supports and challenges Nolan on a set of mostly his own compositions.

“Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" is a highlight, putting a clever touch on the theme of bustling city life that has long been a favorite of jazz musicians. Nolan ...

184
Album Review

Russ Nolan: Two Colors

Read "Two Colors" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Two Colors begins with a pleasantly laid back meeting between Willy Wonka and Miles Davis--a meeting that has the “Pure Imagination" melody from the children's film being reharmonized with Miles' “It's About That Time." From there, things get a bit more intense as pianist Sam Barsh, bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza take the journey through saxophonist Russ Nolan's intriguing musical mind. Nolan switches from soprano to tenor and weaves bop, cool and swing with a dash of Latin ...

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2

Recording

Saxophonist Russ Nolan's First Live Recording, "Sanctuary From The Ordinary: Live At Firehouse 12," To Be Released Feb. 12

Saxophonist Russ Nolan's First Live Recording, "Sanctuary From The Ordinary: Live At Firehouse 12," To Be Released Feb. 12

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Saxophonist/composer/arranger Russ Nolan has been documenting his explorations of Latin rhythms and modern jazz harmony on record since the release of his 2004 debut, Two Colors. He has worked with special guests like percussionist Victor Rendon and pianists Kenny Werner and Manuel Valera while deepening ties with players who eventually coalesced into his working group. For his sixth CD, Nolan set himself up for a new challenge by recording the session live in performance. The inspired results may be heard ...

1

Recording

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan To Release "Call It What You Want" March 31

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan To Release "Call It What You Want" March 31

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

A dexterous improviser with an abiding passion for Latin American rhythms, Russ Nolan delivers a deeply satisfying program of original tunes on his new CD Call It What You Want. The prolific tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger will release the disc, his 5th as a leader in 10 years, on his Rhinoceruss Music label March 31. Reflecting his fluency in the post-bop vocabulary and Latin rhythmic idioms, it’s an approach quite distinct from what used to be called Latin jazz, ...

Recording

"Relentless," 4th Album By Tenor Saxophonist/composer Russ Nolan, Due January 21

"Relentless," 4th Album By Tenor Saxophonist/composer Russ Nolan, Due January 21

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Tenor saxophonist/composer/arranger Russ Nolan continues his exploration of Latin rhythms on his fourth CD Relentless, which will be released by his Rhinoceruss Music label on January 21. Picking up where last year’s critically acclaimed Tell Me left off, Relentless features the contributions of Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Manuel Valera as well as Tell Me’s rhythm section of Michael O’Brien on bass and drummer Brian Fishler. Nolan’s concern with rhythm began coming into clear focus in the late 1980s, when he was ...

1

Recording

Tenor Saxophonist/composer Russ Nolan To Release 3rd Album "Tell Me" Sept. 25

Tenor Saxophonist/composer Russ Nolan To Release 3rd Album "Tell Me" Sept. 25

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

In the ten years since his move to New York City from Chicago, tenor saxophonist/composer/arranger Russ Nolan has made great strides in advancing his musical career. He immersed himself in the scene, playing and collaborating with a wide range of musicians. He made his first recordings as a leader — the quartet date Two Colors (2004) and the much-praised With You in Mind (2008), on which he was backed by the Kenny Werner Trio. And, less typically, he hit the ...

60

Performance / Tour

Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3

Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3

Source: All About Jazz

WHO: Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan with: Kenny Werner (piano) Johannes Weidenmueller (bass) Ronen Itzik (drums)

WHEN: May 2nd & 3rd 8 & 10 PM

WHERE: The Kitano 66 Park Ave. (at E 38th St.) Tel: 212.885.7000 kitano.com

COST: $25 cover, $15 minimum

WHY: In Support & Celebration of With You In Mind

“From the opening seconds of 'Kilson's Groove' ...

84

Performance / Tour

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

WHO: Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan with: Kenny Werner (piano) Johannes Weidenmuller (bass) Ronen Itzik (drums)

WHEN: May 2nd & 3rd 8 & 10 PM

WHERE: The Kitano 66 Park Ave. (at E 38th St.) Tel: 212.885.7000 www.kitano.com

COST: $25 cover, $15 minimum

WHY: In Support & Celebration of With You In Mind

“From the opening seconds of 'Kilson's Groove' ...

159

Performance / Tour

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano, May 2 & 3, Featuring Kenny Werner

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Appearing at the Kitano, May 2 & 3, Featuring Kenny Werner

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Appearing at The Kitano Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3, In Support & Celebration of With You in Mind Nolan will be appearing with Kenny Werner (piano), Johannes Weidenmuller (bass) and Ronen Itzik (drums) LISTINGS INFO: The Kitano is located at 66 Park Ave. (at E 38th St.), Tel 212 885 7000, website kitano.com, showtimes are 8 & 10 PM, $25 cover, $15 minimum “From the opening seconds of 'Kilson's Groove' to the lush, chordal, fade ...

111

Recording

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Proudly Announces the Release of His New Album, with You in Mind

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Proudly Announces the Release of His New Album, with You in Mind

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Saxophonist/Composer Russ Nolan Proudly Announces The Release of His New Album, With You In Mind Featuring The Kenny Werner Trio: Kenny Werner (piano), Johannes Weidenmuller (bass), Ari Hoenig (drums) “Two Colors, Russ Nolan's first album as a leader, was an impressive debut; With You in Mind is a flying leap. Inasmuch as it finds the saxophonist seamlessly integrating himself into a longstanding trio, the new album reminds me of some of those classic Prestiges and Blue Notes of the 1950s ...

“Besides being graced with clarity in tone, originality and fluent, assertive phrasing, saxophonist Russ Nolan is a rhythm master.” “Since immersing himself in the study of salsa dancing seven years ago to heighten his rhythmic sensibility, the agile- fingered tenor and soprano saxophonist has developed a percussionist’s deep feel for time, and is much at home grooving in Latin jazz and odd time signatures, constantly shuffling his approaches to space and time.” — Owen McNally, WNPR News “Relentless delivers an enjoyable offering of new and vibrant material by Russ Nolan and his side-musicians that will satisfy not only the jazz fan, but will also be appreciated by the listener that prefers their music coming from a strong Latin and salsa rhythmic foundation.” — Jeffrey Uhrich, All About Jazz

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

University of North Texas, Jazz Performance, Jazz Arranging Scholarship — JazzLabNY – NYC Area Adult Jazz Workshops and Small Groups: Russ is the Artistic Director of JazzLabNY, a community where adult jazz musicians who make their living outside of music can play, study, and perform in a regular, ongoing small group setting. Find your spot with us at JazzLabNY.com

Clinic/Workshop Information

Read more

Sonny Rollins
saxophone
Wayne Shorter
saxophone
Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor
John Coltrane
saxophone
Miles Davis
trumpet
Joe Henderson
saxophone
Chris Potter
saxophone

Concerts

Mar 30 Sat

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sin Fronteras

Rhinoceruss Music
2020

buy

Sanctuary From The...

Rhinoceruss Music
2016

buy

Call It What You Want

Rhinoceruss Music
2015

buy

Relentless

Rhinoceruss Music
2014

buy

Tell Me

Rhinoceruss Music
2012

buy

With You in Mind

Rhinoceruss Music
2008

buy

Two Colors

From: Two Colors
By Russ Nolan

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors

From: With You in Mind
By Russ Nolan

Videos

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