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 Frank Russo joyfully paints colorful soundscapes with his highly
skilled, passionate, musical drumming. He's an in demand performer, recording
artist and educator who currently resides in Maryland and teaches at Towson
University. He is also an artist/educator for Bosphorus Cymbals, MD Drums and
The Vic Firth Education Team. Raised in the NYC area, Frank was steeped in the
rich musical heritage of the jazz legends at an early age and carriers on the
legacy of a musical family.
An incredibly adaptable musician,
a partial list of his performances testifies to his diverse talent. He has
performed with Mundell Lowe, Dr Lonnie Smith, Hal Crook, Craig Handy, Keter
Betts, Ethel Ennis, Greg Gisbert, Chuck Redd, Bill McHenry, John O'Gallagher,
Dave Ballou, John D'earth, Denis DiBlasio, Ron McCurdy, The Coasters, Frankie
Lane and many more. Highlights of his performances include the Detroit Jazz
Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Stan Getz Jazz Festival, East Coast Jazz
Festival, The Kennedy Center and many others. Tours have included several trips
to Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. Frank completed a distinguished
career with the prestigious Naval Academy Band where he performed in and led
several dynamic ensembles. He was stationed in Annapolis, San Diego, Great
Lakes, Monterey and Norfolk during his career.
Frank is a Summit Records
Recording Artist whose recordings have gained national recognition and praise
from Downbeat, Jazztimes and Modern Drummer along with others. He is featured
on "Point of Grace" with PF Flyer, "No Turning Back" with Fred Hughes,
"Gabrielle's Hand" with Bob Boguslaw and The acclaimed Shook Russo Quartets
"Featuring Greg Gisbert" all on Summit Records. As a sought after studio ace he
has played on countless sessions, crossing all genres, including PBS
Documentaries, "Quiet Now" with John Toomey, "In My Mind's Eye" with Max Murray
& Doug Bickel, Kenny Carr's "Turn the Page" featuring brilliant saxophonist
Donny McCaslin, "Uncertain Paths" with Rob Levit and many more.
Frank is also a member of the Bob
Butta Trio, The Fred Hughes Band, Rob Levit Trio, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet,
Bob Boguslaw's The Way, Mozart to Motown with Stefan Scaggiari, PF Flyer and
The Shook Russo Quartet. His most recent release on Summit Records "A Thousand
Eyes" is with the superb saxophonist Pete BarenBregge.
Frank is proud to exclusively
perform on maple drums designed by Keith Larsen (Maryland Drum Company),
Bosphorus Cymbals and Vic Firth Products.
"FAB TRIO KENNEDY CENTER PERFORMANCE: July 2006, Bob Butta,
Amy Shook & Frank Russo"
"The
explosive energy begins with Russo, a drummer of extraordinary power and
uncommon precision."
Thomas Conrad. JazzTimes, Nov 05, pg 136.
Click
here to view Frank live at the Kennedy Center July 7 2005
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current
news...
STUDIO BEATS: Lots of
cool things happening ……. Awesome Airplay: We've been getting lots of
good airplay & reviews on Kenny Carr's most recent release "Turn the Page",
including play on the weather channel. Pete BarenBregge/Frank Russo CD "A
Thousand Eyes" is being played across the country. We're pleased to report that
several tunes are also getting 4 or 5 plays a day on the Music Choice digital
TV music channel.
Recent Releases: I'm laying down
the groove on Tony Spencer's "It's Time" and I'll be performing with Tony at
Rams Head On Stage this summer. I also appear on Dani Cortaza's "Expressions".
He's the real Brazilian deal.
Upcoming Releases:
Vocalist/Pianist Sandy Asirvatham "Memoir" features a heavy line up and varied
styles. I'll be performing her CD release dates this summer. Vocalist Felecia
Carter's double disc "Step Lightly" is just receiving the finishing touches. A
wonderful mix of standards and originals, it was recorded at the awesome NPR
studios. We are VERY excited about the Summit Records July release of the Shook
Russo Trio CD "Introducing the FAB Trio" - Frank, bassist Amy Shook and pianist
Bob Butta. This is a program of Bop till you drop featuring some exciting
original hard swingers and Latin tunes.
Upcoming Recordings: Shook Russo
Quartet is getting ready to start recording our new project. We've been working
hard on some new compositions and concepts. We received great reviews &
airplay on our first Summit outing "Featuring Greg Gisbert". I'll be back in
the studio again with Kenny Carr soon and along with the trio it will also
feature Donny McCaslin. Bob Boguslaw and The Way just performed an exciting
live radio broadcast from the University of Maryland. We'll be recording some
unique new compositions this summer for our next release. Rob Levit Trio is
headed back to the studio in early fall. You can visit more info for my
rhythmically fun voyages on the recordings page. Buy a few while you're there.
ROAD BEATS: Trips include
NYC and Florida this summer. I will be teaching alongside a great faculty at
Rowan University Jazz Camp, New Jersey, during July. I'm also excited to be
teaching at Maryland Summer Jazz 2007 in Rockville, MD again. Check out
www.marylandsummerjazz.com . It
will be my first time performing in New Mexico this fall and I will also be
headed to Michigan for a return trip to Interlochen Center for the Arts. I'll
be returning as well to the Rehoboth Jazz Festival with the Fred Hughes Trio -
always great. Toronto in January? Not the perfect season for Canada but the
annual IAJE convention is always a blast and I'll be performing this year.
Touring Shanghai is a possibility again this year.
ONGOING BEATS:
Going on EIGHT years - Thursdays I'm with guitarist Rob Levit at 49 West in
Annapolis, MD. You can also catch me with Tom Lagana at the Savage Rams Head on
Sunday for brunch or at the Caribbean Breeze with Dani Cortaza. The third
Wednesday of every month I'm at 49 West with The Amy Shook/Frank Russo Quartet.
I update my schedule
page monthly so please check it out. |
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