John W. Russell (June 4, 1909, Charlotte, North Carolina - July 26, 1991, New York City) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Russell was raised in New York, and began on violin at age nine, later picking up saxophone and clarinet. He played in both capacities with Jimmy Campbell in 1926, then worked at the Strand Danceland under

Earle Howard Earle "Nappy" Howard (June 3, 1904December 31, 1978) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, guitarist, and vocalist. Career Howard was raised in New York City and went to the same high school as Fats Waller. He belonged to a youth band that ...

. While he continued to play violin in live settings, no recordings of him as a violinist are known. After working in the early 1930s with Harry White, Russell replaced Chu Berry in Benny Carter's ensemble in 1933-34, then joined up with

Willie Bryant William Stevens Bryant (August 30, 1908 – February 9, 1964) was an American jazz bandleader, vocalist, and disc jockey, known as the "Mayor of Harlem". Biography Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, while growing up he took trumpet l ...

in 1935-36. He toured with

Bobby Martin Bobby Martin may refer to: *Bobby Martin (American football) (1987–2020), American football player *Bobby Martin (musician) (1903–2001), jazz trumpeter *Bobby Martin, bass player for Canadian country group the James Barker Band *Bobby Martin (p ...

's orchestra in Europe in 1938, and played with this group on the soundtrack to the 1938

Erich von Stroheim Erich Oswald Hans Carl Maria von Stroheim (born Erich Oswald Stroheim; September 22, 1885 – May 12, 1957) was an Austrian-American director, actor and producer, most noted as a film star and avant-garde, visionary director of the silent era. H ...

film, '' L'alibi''; it is for his solos in this recording that he is best known. Following this Russell remained in Europe to play with

Willie Lewis William T. Lewis ''(né'' Willie Meria Tawlton Lewis; 10 June 1905 – 13 January 1971) was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader. Career Lewis was born Cleburne, Texas, United States. He grew up in Dallas and played in variety shows as ...

from 1939 to 1941. Upon his return to the U.S. he played with Garvin Bushell briefly before being drafted. He played in military bands, including

Russell Wooding Russell may refer to: People * Russell (given name) * Russell (surname) * Lady Russell (disambiguation) * Lord Russell (disambiguation) Places Australia * Russell, Australian Capital Territory * Russell Island, Queensland (disambiguation) ** ...

's, during World War II, then played after the war with

Cecil Scott Cecil Scott (November 22, 1905 in Springfield, Ohio – January 5, 1964 in New York City) was an American jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader. Scott played as a teenager with his brother, drummer Lloyd Scott. They played together ...

(1945) and

Eddie Cornelius Eddie Lee Cornelius Jr. is a gospel singer, songwriter, speaker and author. He was a songwriter and lead singer for Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, a 1970s soul R&B act. He wrote their biggest hits "Too Late ...

. Russell stopped playing full-time later in the 1940s, but occasionally did club dates later in his life.

References

*Howard Rye, "Johnny Russell". '' Grove Jazz'' online. * Eugene Chadbourne, Johnny Russellat Allmusic {{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Johnny 1909 births 1991 deaths American jazz saxophonists American male saxophonists 20th-century American saxophonists Jazz musicians from North Carolina 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians