HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Luis Russell

Birth of Jazz: Luis Russell

Luis Russell

Luis Russell was born on 5 August 1902 in Panama two years before the United States began construction of the Panama Canal completed ten years later (1914). Russell was a pianist who began his professional career at age 17 accompanying silent films at theaters, then later a casino. In 1919 he won $3000 in a lottery and used it to take his mother and sister to New Orleans. In 1924 he moved to Chicago where he performed with Doc Cook and Joe King Oliver. Russell is thought to have first recorded in 1926, backing Ada Brown in Chicago on March 10 toward the release of 'Panama Limited Blues' and 'Tia Juana Man' (Vocalion 1009). Russell first recorded as a leader that same day, having formed the Hot Six, of which Kid Ory was a member contributing trombone. Issued from that session were '29th and Dearborn' and 'Sweet Mumtaz'. Russell first recorded as a member of King Oliver's orchestra in Chicago on March 11, 1926, Ory also in session for two takes each of 'Too Bad' and 'Snag It'.

'Sweet Mumtaz' Luis Russell's Hot Six

Recorded 10 March 1926 in NYC Matrix E-2623 Vocalion 1010

Cornet: George Mitchell Trombone: Kid Ory

Clarinet / alto sax / soprano sax: Albert Nicholas

Tenor sax: Barney Bigard Piano: Russell

Banjo: Johnny St. Cyr Speech: Richard M. Jones

Composition: Russell

Russell first laid tracks under Louis Armstrong's leadership with the latter's Savoy Ballroom Five (ten musicians in the group) on March 5, 1929, toward the issue of 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love' and 'Mahogany Hall Stomp'. Russell would work heavily with Armstrong in decades to come. Another giant name, Henry Red Allen, came Russell's way in 1929 as well, he first recording with Allen in the latter's New York Orchestra on July 16, 1929, toward the release of 'It Should Be You' and 'Biffly Blues'. Blues singer, Victoria Spivey, was another of the larger names with whom Russell made records during his career, he first backing her under Allen's leadership on September 24, 1929, to issue tracks of 'Make a Country Bird Fly Wild', 'Funny Feathers Blues', 'How Do They Do It That Way' and 'Pleasin' Paul'.

'The New Call of the Freaks' Luis Russell and His Orchestra

Recorded 6 Sep 1929 in NYC Matrix 402938-C Okeh 8734

Trumpet: Henry "Red" Allen / Bill Coleman Trombone: J.C. Higginbotham

Alto sax: Albert Nicholas (clarinet) / Charlie Holmes (soprano sax)

Tenor sax: Teddy Hill Piano: Russell Banjo / guitar: Will Johnson

String bass: Pops Foster Drums: Paul Barbarin

Vocal trio: Henry Allen / J.C. Higginbotham / Louis Metcalf

Composition: Paul Barbarin

'Feelin' the Spirit' Luis Russell and His Orchestra

Recorded 6 Sep 1929 in NYC Matrix 402938-C Okeh 8734

Trumpet: Henry "Red" Allen / Bill Coleman Trombone: J.C. Higginbotham

Alto sax: Albert Nicholas (clarinet) / Charlie Holmes (soprano sax)

Tenor sax: Teddy Hill Piano: Russell Banjo / guitar: Will Johnson

String bass: Pops Foster Drums: Paul Barbarin

Vocal: J.C. Higginbotham

Composition: Russell

'Doctor Blues' Luis Russell and His Orchestra

Recorded 17 Dec 1929 in NYC Matrix 403524-C Okeh 8766

Trumpet: Henry "Red" Allen / Otis Johnson Trombone: J.C. Higginbotham

Alto sax: Albert Nicholas (clarinet) / Charlie Holmes (soprano sax)

Tenor sax: Teddy Hill Piano: Russell Banjo / guitar: Will Johnson

String bass: Pops Foster Drums: Paul Barbarin

Composition: Barbarin / Russell

'Goin' to Town' Luis Russell and His Orchestra

Recorded 28 Aug 1931 in NYC Matrix 70196-1 Victor 22789

Trumpet: Henry "Red" Allen / Robert Cheek / Gus Aiken Trombone: Dicky Wells

Alto sax: Albert Nicholas (clarinet) / Henry Jones

Tenor sax: Greely Walton Piano: Russell Guitar: Will Johnson

String bass: Pops Foster Drums / vibes: Paul Barbarin

Vocal: Chick Bullock

Composition: Harold Mooney / Hughie Prince

'At the Swing Cats Ball' Luis Russell and His Orchestra

Radio broadcast sometime 1939 See Dot Time DT8022

Trumpet: Louis Bacon or Otis Johnson / Shelton Hemphill / Henry "Red" Allen

Trombone: Wilbur DeParis / George Washington / J.C. Higginbotham

Alto sax: Rupert Cole / Charlie Holmes

Tenor sax: Bingie Madison / Albert Nicholas (clarinet)

Piano: Russell Guitar: Lee Blair

String bass: Pops Foster Drums: Paul Barbarin or Sidney Catlett

Vocal: Unknown

Composition: Russell / Bill Campbell

Russell's recording of 'The Very Thought of You' backing vocalist, Lee Richardson, in May of 1946 reached #3 of the R&B charts [Music VF]. Only half a year later Richardson would contribute to a few of Russell's final recordings in New York City. Tom Lord's jazzography doesn't assign exact dates to those, but Steven Abrams has them going down in November and December of 1946, which isn't consistent with matrix numbers: 'Gone' on matrix AP 3121 in November, 'Remaining Souvenirs' on matrix AP 3122 in December and 'For You' on matrix AP 3139 in November.