Hal Russell

Hal Russell ( born August 28, 1926 in Detroit, † September 5, 1992 in Chicago, real name: Harold Russell Luttenbacher. ) Was an American jazz musician.

Life and career

Although born in Detroit Hal Russell came only in the 1950s to Chicago, he is now regarded as a style icon of the local free-jazz scene. He accompanied on drums numerous stars who came through town on their tours (including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Mildred Bailey ). The Joe Daley Trio, in which he played at the turn of the 1950s to the 1960s, was one of the first free- gambling groups in jazz. Innovations compared to always open, Russell played next to the drums and vibraphone, grabbed 30 -year break, again to his student instrument trumpet, till at last, rumors of discontent with the inability of the saxophonist and his band, at an advanced age also learned the instrument.

Among his role models on the various instruments encountered have been so different musicians such as Gene Krupa, Sunny Murray, Miles Davis, Don Cherry and Albert Ayler.

His legacy lies in the extensive repertoire of his main band, the NRG Ensemble. After numerous line-up changes over the years, he found the ideal candidate in the saxophonist Mars Williams, drummer and vibraphonist Steve Hunt, bassist Kent Kessler and bassist, trumpet and electric guitarist Brian Sandstrom.

In humorous original compositions, in which he witnessed by himself in all its phases, convoluted development of jazz from swing to free jazz and citing varying took up, he created for himself and his musicians a springboard for free improvisation. His main work can be considered the story of his life set to music "The Hal Russell Story". Shortly after the recording of this record Hal Russell died in 1992. For a time the NRG Ensemble was continued with the assistance of the Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark. In addition, he also played in the Noise Jazz Band The Flying Luttenbachers.