Russ'
new recording with the Kenny Werner Trio (Johannes Weidenmueller,
Ari Hoenig), 'With You In Mind' has been released!
Saxophonist and composer RUSS NOLAN hails from Gurnee, IL,
a near Chicago suburb. Through the first half of his life,
it was not music that was his passion, but athletics. Practicing
his jump shot and fastball as much as a prodigy puts time
into their musical instrument, it was his dream to play professional
sports. It was only after high school that he was bitten by
the proverbial 'jazz bug'. This new 'infection' led him to
study at the widely acclaimed music department at North Texas
State University and spent his summers at the feet of Chicago
Saxophone Legends Joe Daley and Rich Corpolongo.
Returning home after school, Russ was active for over ten
years on the Chicago music scene, absorbing the music and
rubbing shoulders with the world-class touring groups at Joe
Segal's Jazz Showcase--as well as appearing as a sideman in
the club himself on occasion; sitting in with Lin Haliday
at the Get Me High Lounge and the legendary Von Freeman at
the New Apartment Lounge; leading his own groups at the Bop
Shop w/guitarist John McLean, the Get Me High Lounge, Martyrs
and the Green Mill; collaborating with Violinist Zach Brock
at the Hot House, Pete Miller's, Katerina's and the Jazz Showcase;
and playing in Kurt Elling's orchestra for Chicago's Millennium
Celebration.
Nolan's big band arrangements of Kenny Garrett and Pat Metheny
compositions (originally written for the One and Two O'Clock
Lab Bands at NTSU) have been performed across the United States.
Always focused on musical growth, Russ has had personal study
with David Liebman, Chris Potter, Kenny Werner, and David
Bloom, founder of the Bloom School of Jazz.
Continuing to true his metal with fire, Russ made the trek
to pay the toughest dues of all… the Big Apple. Since
arriving in March 2002, Russ has begun to emerge as a bandleader,
performing in various New York City jazz clubs and other performance
venues.
Russ is very committed to jazz education, and as a result,
has had extensive tours in 2005, 2006, and 2007, conducting
clinics and adjudicating jazz festivals at the college, high
school, and middle school level. Check the schedule for updates.
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