Luis Russell (6 August 1902 – 11 December 1963) was a jazz pianist and bandleader.
Early life
Luis Carl Russell was born on Careening Cay, near Bocas del Toro, Panama, in a family of Afro-Caribbean ancestry. His father was a music teacher, and young Luis learned to play violin, guitar, trombone, and piano. He began playing professionally accompanying silent films by 1917 and later at a casino in Colón, Panama. In 1919 he won $3000 (USD) in a lottery, and used it to move to the United States with his mother and sister, settling in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans
He began performing with New Orleans bands, and took lessons on New Orleans style jazz piano from Steve Lewis. He played with Albert Nicholas's band, then moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1924.
Chicago and New York City
In Chicago he played with Doc Cook and King Oliver, in addition to occasional jobs under his own name and pick up bands in recording studios. With Oliver's band Russell moved to New York City in May 1927. In October of that year he left Oliver to start his own band.
Podcasts:
Luis Russell
ALBUMS
- The Luis Russell Story 1929-1934 released: 2000
The Luis Russell Story 1929-1934
Released 2000- Savoy Shout
- The Call of the Freaks
- It's Tight Like That
- West End Blues
- I've Got That Thing
- Freakish Light Blues
- The Call of the Freaks
- The Trumpet's Prayer
- African Jungle
- Slow as Molasses
- The New Call of the Freaks
- Feelin' the Spirit
- Jersey Lightning
- Broadway Rhythm
- The Way He Loves Is Just Too Bad
- Doctor Blues
- Saratoga Shout
- Song of the Swanee
- Give Me Your Telephone Number
- Higginbotham Blues
- Louisiana Swing
- Poor Li'l Me
- On Revival Day