1. "BIONIC" (full band) newest project.
The originators or "Krunk Jazz" straight from the south. Atlanta, Georgia. Combination of southern (crunk) hip hop rhythms, ie. ("Lil" Jon, Ludacris,T.I) African drums (Djembe, Ayah Drums), and advanced jazz melody and harmony.
So soulful, So spiritual, So musical, So hood.
Line up:
Russell Gunn - Trumpet, Flugel Horn, FX
Darryl Reeves - Saxophones
Kebbi Williams - Tenor Saxophone
Phil Davis - Keys
Takana Myamoto - Organ
Ede Wright - Guitar
Khari Simmons - Bass
Ali Barr - Djembe
Kenah Boto - Ayah Drums
Terreon Gully - Trap Drums
"Lil" John Roberts - Trap Drums
note: "KRUNK JAZZ" the debut album from "Bionic" to be released soon.
2."ELEKTRIK BUTTERFLY" or "Bionic" (small group)
Improvisation at the highest level. Any member of the ensemble may determine the direction of the group at any given moment. Similar to the approach of a new Orleans brass band. Russell's favorite group to perform with. The freedom to explore rhythm, space, time, melody, harmony, and vibration. All comes together with the ensemble miraculously becoming one entity to create musical structure out of thin air. Wowing audiences for over a year.
Line up:
Russell Gunn - Trumpet, FX
Derreck Scott - Elektrik Guitar
Joel Powell - Elektrik Bass
Chris Burroughs - Drums
3. Russell Gunn Quartet/Trio/Quintet
Yes Russell still play's straight-ahead! Very powerful and creative treatment of standards. Russell Says "By going in so many directions it allows me to bring so much to my straight ahead playing now, all the funk, hip hop, blues, r&b, and classical I bring to my style."
Line up:
Russell Gunn - Trumpet
Takana Myamoto - Piano
Craig Shaw - Bass
Terreon Gully - Drums
Darryl Reeves - Saxophones
4. "Nu South Quintet"
Special Straight-ahead project w/ great Atlanta trumpeter/vocalist Joe Gransden.
2 trumpets battle, Joe serenades, very entertaining!
5. "Freedom Suite" (working title) Russell Gunn Triple Quintet
Classical/Jazz fusion symphony Composed and arranged by Russell Gunn.
The Piece: Freedom Suite is based on the life of and revolution led by Toussaint L'Oveture. Born a slave in Haiti. Toussaint rose to lead the only successful slave rebellion in history, which led to the free state of Haiti.
The Composer: Russell has always been a student of European classical music and sites the great Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky as his favorite composer (besides (Benny Golson). Some may remember Russell's recording "Love Requiem" (a Jazz suite about high school sweethearts that marry, then grow up and the marriage dissipates) which was highly classical influenced, and admittedly Russell's favorite recording of his. Russell has been interested in writing for large ensembles since he was part of the historic, Pulitzer prize winning recording by Wynton Marsalis. "Blood on the Fields"
The Ensemble:
Jazz Quintet
feat. Russell Gunn (Piano, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, Saxophone)
String Quintet
(2 Violin, 2 Viola, Cello) Brass Quintet (2 Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba)
CLINICS, WORKSHOPS and LECTURES
CLINICS and WORKSHOPS
Russell is becoming "the man" when it comes to "art" of education. Russell's approach to students is directly taken from his years of experience of leading his own ensembles and being a sideman. "All students aren't the same, in fact they are all quite different. Playing wise, personality, desire. You as a leader have to be able recognize that immediately and tailor your system accordingly. Duke Ellington wrote to specific strengths in his band. That's why they always sounded good. You can work on the weaknesses, but as hard as it is for some educators to believe, you can't get blood from a turnip. You can't place students for scholarship solely on improvisation. That does not make a band. That would be like a basketball team of all 3-point shooters"
Besides amazing results, Russell seems to have a natural rapport with students. They all seem to relate to him quite easily and therefore eager to learn and participate.
LECTURES
"Jazz to Hip-Hop(and it don't stop)" - The not so secret relationship
1. Covers the historical context (social/economical) of the invention of the music.
2. The Underground
3. Above Ground
4. White involvement
5. Key figures
6. Why it won't stop