Guitarist, Banjoist, Composer, Nick Russo, accepted participant of the 2004 International Jazz Workshop at The BANFF Center in Canada (director, Dave Douglas) & accepted participant of the 2001 JAS academy in Aspen Colorado (director, Christian McBride, mentioned in Dec. 2001 issue of Down Beat magazine), leads a life of full-time performing, including performances at: Carnegie Hall, The U.N., Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Birdland, 55 Bar, Showman’s, Lenox Lounge, Charles Ives Center, Tilles Center, Cleopatra’s Needle, Kavehaz, Merchants, The C-Note, 7 weeks at Huis Ten Bosch (Sasebo, Japan), Omsk, Tomsk, Novasibersk, Akademgorodok (Academy City), Moscow, Brasil , Barcelona & at the Banff Center in Canada.
Nick Russo plays guitar and banjo with Vince Giordano and The Night Hawks, The Victor Jones Quartet, Mile s Griffith's "New Ting," David Pleasant's Group, with bassist, Kim Clarke, The Anastasia Rene Quartet, The Chris Carroll Trio and many other groups including Section 8 (with Matt Kane, Nate Shaw, Wayne Batchelor, & rappers: Guestos Asbestos & Retsam Gillette. Nick also has worked with the legendary organist, Jimmy McGriff, vibraphonist, Teddy Charles, bassist, Sony Dallas, saxophonist, Tim Berne, violinist, Jim Nolet (formally with the Jazz Passengers), Tony Moreno, Mike Bisio, the Frank & Joe Show. Victor Jones Quartet, the David Pleasant Trio, and Bruce Cox Trio. Nick's recent recording "Ro" features Nick Russo + 11: Mark Turner, Miles Griffith, Samir Chatterjee, Bryan Murray, Greg Glassman, Art Hirahara, Nathan Peck, Matt Clohesy, Willard Dyson, Ari Hoenig & David Pleasant.
Recently, Nick was filmed for the new Sam Mendes Film (2009) and plays on the soundtrack for the new independent film, King George. In November 2008, Nick Russo appeared on NBC after Saturday Night Live as past of First Look.
Musicians such as Frank Wes, Mark Turner, Antonia Bennett, Miles Griffith, Todd Coolman, Barry Altschul, Charlie Persip, Elliot Zigmund, Dennis Irwin, Gerald Cannon, Jim Cammack, John Ormond, Essiet Essiet, Alvester Garnett, Joe Ascione, Bruce Cox, Ed Schuller, Ari Hoenig, Charles Blenzig, Jaleel Shaw, Will Vinson, JD Walter, Eve Cornelious, Stephanie Rice, Monica Lynk, Sachel Vasandani, Jenn Jade Ledesna, Jeb Patton, Montez Coleman, Bill McCrossen, John Ray & Dominic Duval have appeared in his group. Nick is also the author of 2 books: "Metallica, Legendary Licks series vol. 1 & vol. 2 as well as the editor of the GRP arpeggio book and exercise book (published by Cherry Lane/Hal Leonard). Nick is currently study bol with tabla guru, Samir Chatterjee.
The new self produced album "RO" which an all original eclectic mix of straight-ahead, Indian Raga and modern jazz features Mark Turner, Miles Griffith, Ari Hoenig, Pandit Samir Chatterjee, Art Hirahara, Willard Dyson, David Pleasant & the rest of "Nick Russo +11." Ro is getting great reviews in All About Jazz, Jazz Improv magazine, Hot House, ejazz news, Boston Gazette, Jazz Times, Vintage Guitar, Cadence, Jazz-iz & other publications as well as radio play in Switzerland, Sweeden, Canada, Chicago, Japan & NY. "Nick Russo + 11"
More info: www.nickrusso.org and www.myspace.com/nickrusso11
