Russell Malone

Russell Malone
Photo by Tracey Nolan
Background information
Birth name	Russell Malone
Born	November 8, 1963 (1963-11-08) (age 45) Albany, Georgia, United States
Genre(s)	jazz
Occupation(s)	musician
Instrument(s)	guitar
Years active	1980s–present

Russell Malone (born November 8, 1963 in Albany, Georgia) is an essentially self-taught^[1] swing jazz guitarist. He also performs in the bebop and contemporary jazz genres of jazz. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990's.^[2]

Biography

Malone began playing at the age of four in his home of Albany, Georgia, with a toy guitar his mother had bought him, influenced by musicians such as B.B. King and The Dixie Hummingbirds.^[3] However, he cites that the most influential musical experience he had as a youth was "[At the age of twelve] seeing George Benson perform on television…with Benny Goodman."^[1] He learned technique from listening to recordings of Benson, Wes Montgomery, and Charlie Christian, among others.^[3]

Malone played with jazz organist Jimmy Smith from 1988—1990.^[1] He then joined the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band from 1989-1994. In 1995, Malone became part of the Diana Krall trio, participating in three Grammy-nominated albums, the final one in 1999, "When I Look In Your Eyes," winning Best Vocal Jazz Performance.

In addition to touring regularly as leader of The Russell Malone Quartet, Russell Malone can be seen in appearances with Dianne Reeves and Romero Lubambo. He also tours frequently with Ron Carter as part of the Golden Striker Trio often featuring Mulgrew Miller at piano. Other special guest appearances have included Malone with Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Hank Jones (in celebration of his 90th birthday). October, 2008, found Russell Malone in duo at Yoshi's in Oakland, California, with fellow jazz guitarist and Grammy-winner Bill Frisell. The duo toured once again in February, 2009, in the Pacific Northwest.

Malone's two most recent MAXJAZZ releases are "Live At Jazz Standard, Volume One" (2006) and Live At Jazz Standard, Volume Two" (2007). Appearing on these two volumes, and touring as The Russell Malone Quartet, are Martin Bejerano on piano, Tassili Bond on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums.

Discography

• Russell Malone (COLUMBIA - 1992)^[2]
• Black Butterfly (COLUMBIA - 1993)^[4]
• Sweet Georgia Peach (IMPULSE! - 1998)
• Wholly Cats (VENUS - 1999)
• Look Who's Here (VERVE - 2000)
• Heartstrings (VERVE - 2001)
• Jazz at the Bistro [with Benny Green] (Telarc - 2003)
• Bluebird [with Benny Green] (Telarc - 2004)
• Playground (MAXJAZZ - 2004)^[5]
• Live At Jazz Standard, Volume One (MAXJAZZ - 2006)
• Live At Jazz Standard, Volume Two (MAXJAZZ - 2007)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Jung, Fred & Malone, Russell. A Fireside Chat with Russell Malone. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
2. ^ ^{a b} Neuroth, Matt. (2008). Bio: Russell Malone. Retrieved January 13, 2008 http://www.downbeat.com/artists/window.asp?action=new&aid=501&aname=Russell+Malone Down Beat]
3. ^ ^{a b} National Public Radio. (2002). Billy Taylor's Jazz | Guest Artist: Russell Malone. Retrieved January 13, 2008, from http://www.npr.org/programs/btaylor/pastprograms/rmalone.html
4. ^ Amazon.com. (2008). Amazon.com: Black Butterfly: Music: Russell Malone. Retrieved January 13, 2008, from http://www.amazon.com/Black-Butterfly-Russell-Malone/dp/B00000295V/ref=m_art_li_5
5. ^ (2008). Russell Malone at All About Jazz. Retrieved January 13, 2008, from http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=9011

External links

• An interview with Malone in Jazz Improv Magazine

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