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Nick Russo

Guitarist, banjoist & composer, Nick Russo, winning participant of the 2004 International Jazz Workshop at The BANFF Centre in Canada (director, Dave Douglas) & winning participant of the 2001 JAS academy in Aspen Colorado (director, Christian McBride, mentioned in Dec. 2001 issue of DownBeat magazine), leads a life of full-time performing, including performances at:

Carnegie Hall Lincoln Center The United Nations Blue Note Birdland 55 Bar Showman’s (Harlem) Lenox Lounge (Harlem) Charles Ives Center Tilles Center Boom Penne e Vino Via Delle Zoccelette The Patchogue Theatre Flushing Town Hall Cleopatra’s Needle Kavehaz Merchants The C-Note The BANFF Centre in Canada 7 weeks at Huis Ten Bosch (Sasebo, Japan) Omsk, Tomsk, Novasibersk, Akademgorodok (Academy City), and Moscow Salvador in the state of Bahia (Brazil)

Nick Russo is currently the guitarist and banjoist with Vince Giordano and The Night Hawks, with vocalist, Miles Griffith and Mona's Hot Four. His acclaimed CD "Ro" features Mark Turner, Miles Griffith, Samir Chatterjee, Bryan Murray, Greg Glassman, Art Hirahara, Matt Clohesy, Nathan Peck, Ari Hoenig, Willard Dyson & David Pleasant. Nick has also been a sideman with organist, Jimmy McGriff, vibraphonist Teddy Charles, drummer, Doug Richardson, vocalists: Anastasia Rene, Jennifer Jade Ladesna, Eve Cornelious, Malika Zarra, Taeko Fukao, Annette St. John, saxophonist, Eric Pakula, and many others. He has also been a sideman with Jim Nolet (former violinist with the Jazz Passengers), Sonny Dallas (former bassist with Lennie Tristano & Lee Konitz) and The Frank & Joe Show (Frank Vignola and Joe Ascione). His first CD as a leader was recorded February 2002 with legendary trumpeter, Dr. Eddie Henderson, bassist, Essiet Essiet and drummers Ralph Peterson and Montez Coleman. While attending the Jack McDuff raiser in 2002, Nick Russo sat in with George Benson at Showman’s and Birdland. In 2004, Nick had a chance to perform with Bill Frisell and sit-in with Dave Douglas & Mark Turner at the Banff Centre in Canada. Musicians such as Frank Wes, Ralph Peterson, Eddie Henderson, Mark Turner, Ari Hoenig, Steve Hass, John Benitez, Ed Schuller, Todd Coolman, Barry Altschul, Elliot Zigmund, Dennis Irwin, Gerald Cannon, James Cammack, John Ormond, Daryl Hall, Essiet Essiet, Alvester Garnett, Joe Ascione, Bruce Cox, Tony Moreno, Montez Coleman, Jeb Patton, Bill McCrossen, John Ray, Miles Griffith, Marion Cowlings, Antonia Bennett, Eve Cornelious, Stephanie Rice, Monica Lynk, and Sachel Vasandani have appeared in his group. His credits also include a Broadway show called "A Jew Grows In Brooklyn" (Lamb's Theatre), and many off-Broadway shows such as: Man Of La Mancha, The Lion King, Greece, Sweet Charity, The Pajama Game, The King and I, The Wiz, Annie, Foot Loose, Mary Poppins and has subbed on the Big Apple Circus and Yankee Doodle Circus tours.

Nick Russo: Ro

by AAJ Italy Staff
January 24, 2007

Opera prima, autoprodotta, questo album è una sintesi del percorso musicale del chitarrista Nick Russo. Brani risalenti a periodi diversi, eseguiti con organici diversi, e caratterizzati da atmosfere piuttosto distanti tra loro. Alcuni schiettamente jazz, altri permeati da venature brasiliane, altri ancora cantati. Come spesso accade quando c'è molta carne al fuoco, l'album mostra anche una certa disomogeneità e non tutte le composizioni sono allo stesso livello.I brani più interessanti sono, a nostro avviso, quelli che si discostano ...

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Album Review

Nick Russo + 11: Ro

by Tom Greenland
December 2, 2006

Ro is yet another release from a relatively unknown jazz journeyman who has been paying (and playing) his dues in the five-borough area; after hosting a series of underpaid late-nite jam sessions, endless society gigs and teaching, guitarist Nick Russo is finally strumming his stuff for the larger arena of jazz fandom. It's been worth the wait: his impressive debut recording is broad in scope, deep in concept, and eminently listenable, giving evidence that the dues are paid up--and earning ...

Education

Acclaimed Guitarist Nick Russo Offers Comprehensive Blues Guitar Masterclass Via Jam Play

Source: 1888 Media
April 18, 2021

With a 30-yr pedigree as composer, bandleader, International touring artist and session player with the likes of Jon Batiste, Russell Hall, Jimmy McGriff, and Vince Giordano & The Night Hawks, multi-instrumentalist Nick Russo has joined the esteemed list of educators offering courses via JamPlay, the leading online service providing guitar instruction. Russo joins a faculty of 100 teachers that includes stalwarts Steve Stevens, Lita Ford, Tosin Abasi, Kaki King, Tony MacAlpine, Phil Keaggy and Bumblefoot. For his curriculum “One Chord ...
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Event

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches To Play Record Release Concert At DROM NYC On June 14 With Emmy-Nominated Actor Rob Morrow

Source: 1888 Media
June 2, 2018

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are likely the only band today infusing elements of Gullah-Geechee and world rhythms with folk traditions, Americana, New Orleans influences, and 1920s jazz. The forthcoming sophomore album, Get Us Out Of Fearland , due June 15, builds upon the multicultural exuberance that made the band’s debut, Very Next Thing, a transcendent breath of fresh air. Elmore Magazine championed its “remarkable musical dexterity with songs that bask in a genuine roots regimen and a sense of ...
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Event

Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist Nick Russo Assembles NYC All-Stars For Jalopy Theatre Concert On Sunday October 29

Source: 1888 Media
October 3, 2017

Special Guests Include: Ari Hoenig (Drums), Miles Griffith (Voice), Greg Glassman (Trumpet) Nathan Peck (Bass), Pandit Samir Chatterjee (Tabla), Dan Aran (Drums) Opening Set by Roots, Folk, Americana, Bluegrass Collective, Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches Armed with an “impressive debut recording, broad in scope, deep in concept and eminently listenable,” guitarist/banjoist Nick Russo burst onto the scene eleven years ago with rave reviews from All About Jazz, DownBeat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, EJazz News, and Hot House. For his debut Ro, ...
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Recording

Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist Nick Russo Reimagines "Hot Jazz Jumpers" As "Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches"

Source: 1888 Media
October 13, 2016

New Group Infuses Elements of Gullah-Geechee Culture With Folk Traditions, New Orleans Influences and Music of the 1920s 10-Track Very Next Thing Includes High-Spirited Renditions of Classics by Elizabeth Cotton, Harry Dixon, Fats Waller, Clarence Williams and James “Sugar Boy” Crawford. Instrumentation Includes Voice, Banjo, Resonator, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Harmonica, Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet & Piano Special Guests Include Trumpeter, Gordon Au, Pianist, Air Hirahara and Bassists, Essiet Essiet, Mamadou Ba & Nathan Peck New York City’s Banjo Nickaru & Western ...
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"Nick Russo + 11 brings us back toward jazz with Ro" - Robert Doershuk, DownBeat

"A fluid straightahead player with a globalist outlook... For a guy with a book of Metallica transcriptions under his belt, Nick Russo of Queens cultivates wonderfully pure jazz tones" - David Adler, JazzTimes

"Nick Russo's Ro is not an easy listen, but it sure is rewarding once you're able to digest it [His] tone is very near perfect - big and bold, but still subtle very full in the line of players like Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, and Tal Farlow It'll be fun to see where Russo goes next. There are many interesting jazz guys out there these days, and he's on the front line." - Jim Hilmar, Vintage Guitar

"Nick Russo + 11 brings us back toward jazz with Ro" - Robert Doershuk, DownBeat

"Nick Russo is finally strumming his stuff for the larger arena of jazz fandom. It's been worth the wait; his impressive debut recording is broad in scope, deep inconcept and eminently listenable, giving evidence that the dues are paid up - and earning interest." - Tom Greenland, All About Jazz - New York

"Led by guitarist and banjo player Russo, this intriguing ensemble covers the gamut from straightahead to avant-garde and North Indian classical." -Bob Weinberg "Personal Taste," Jazziz

"In sum, Russo's a top-flight artiste who communicates clear-sighted vision and a wide-ranging vernacular throughout this cunningly divergent showcase." - Glenn Astarita, EJazz News

"If your tastes are eclectic, you'll probably enjoy Ro. There's a bit of free playing, some Indian raga and a healthy measure of straight-ahead swing. This youthful vet has already played and/or recorded with Jimmy McGriff, Eddie Henderson, Ed Schuller, Teddy Charles, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, and the Frank & Joe Show." - Hothouse

"His approach to improvisation, featuring for the most part a warm Jim Hall-like tone, is flexible enough to feel credible whatever the context. It's no surprise that the likes of Hall, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and pianist Dave Kikoski all speak highly of him. Nick Russo is clearly a guitarist worth watching." - John Kelman, All About Jazz

"With varied tastes in the field of modern jazz, guitarist Nick Russo covers a wide range. He lovesto interject sensual themes into his work, portraying a romantic vision as well as a consonant landscape that both rest on pleasurable experiences. They're Russo's compositions, and they represent deep feelings." - Jim Santella, All About Jazz

"He has a perfect sense of both harmonic and melodic artistry [he] deals in a realm of strikingly beautiful sonorities and dazzling color as well as glittering shade and delicate tones. Unique. Singular. Compelling." -George W. Carroll, EJazz News

"Nick is a complete musician, a fine guitarist, composer, producer and band leader. The paring of instruments is impressive. This is the type of CD you listen to over and over. I highly recommend it." — Jimmy Heath

"Nick Russo's CD "Ro" is marvelous! I think the guitar playing is terrific, I am very impressed! I am also impressed with the variety of the record. The music is unique and it's something that's needed in general because so many jazz records sound similar. I loved the Indian Raga and the banjo playing, it was very different!" — Jim Hall

"Nick Russo's music has the ingredients to satisfy both the fans of Mike Pingitore AND Sanjoy Bandopadhyay." — Phil Schaap

"The music on this album is universally wide and should appeal to all audiences. Nick Russo is definitely musically ready to be heard." — Eddie Henderson

A beautiful CD! Nick Russo shows a highly personalized concept and musicianship and the highest caliber. This project demonstrates his great range and scope as both a composer and instrumentalist. — Peter Berstein

"Nick Russo's music has dozens of dimensions, his guitar threading through them all to tie together an inviting, intriguing, beguiling sound world." — Howard Mandel

"Nick is one of the handful of great young guitarist on the New York scene. i've been lucky enough to work and play with Scofield, Martino, Stern, and Ron Affif among others and Nick steps up to the plate and swings beautifully. I'm sure you will love this recording." — Dave Kikoski

"The first thing I liked about the CD was its diversity. In this day and age that all the compositions have a different sound and flavor. Nick picked good musicians to tell the story of his songs. It's good work." — Harry Whitaker

"Nick Russo's new CD RO sounds great. It has a beautiful mysterious vibe with really nice compositions too. I'd recommend it to anyone. Nick is a unique force in the NY jazz community. Check him out!" — Ari Hoenig

Nick Russo is a talented and energetic proponent of jazz guitar. This new project is a further indication that his talent is worthy of much recognition. — Ralph Peterson, Jr.

"I am very pleased to be a part of this wonderful album 'Ro' by Nick Russo. Nick is studying Indian rhythmic system with me. It is quite rewarding to see how he has blended some of those elements into his music. The CD is a nice projection of Nick's assimilation of the tradition he is trying to imbibe along with his own modern ideas. That, to me, is the right path to creativity. I wish him all the success he desires to achieve." — Samir Chatterjee

"It was a great joy to work on this cd! I really appreciated the hurricane of rhythm and tones that Nick and Miles created on the banjo piece. It put me inside of the time; inside of the music like it's supposed to be!" — David Pleasant, Riddimathon!, Inc.

"Nick Russo's new CD has some really hip twists and turns that work in a very organic musical fashion. Nick plays in the tradition of the great guitarists of yester year (Pass, Wes, Benson) with his own contemporary, wonderful flare. I really love the eastern sound on this disc. He's only going to get better as a recording artist." — Victor Jones

"Nick has made great strides in establishing himself as one who is exploring beyond the traditional jazz guitar style. He's searching deeper within himself, giving us some fun new sounds to groove with. Congratulations to Nick and the Plus 11 with a beautiful effort on this CD Ro." — Michael Bocian

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