Album Notes

Description:
An engaging eleven-year-old jazz violinist specializing in improvisation in traditional, Dixieland and Swing styles.

Bio:
An Old Musical Soul

Romantics would say it was love at first sight. Or in this case, maybe first listen. Jonathan Russell saw a picture of a violin at the age of 18 months and repeated the word every time he saw one. Soon after that he began picking out the sound of the violin on recordings. And when he held one on his shoulder for the first time, it was definitely a done deal. Jonathan and the violin were a dynamic duo called to destiny. But his beginnings in jazz are a bit hazier in his parents' recollections. It started with Bei Mir Bist du Shein for sure, and his early spontaneous improvisations on the rhythm. Shortly after, he began to pick out the notes to Ain't Misbehavin’ and everything seemed to take off from there like wildfire.

As a Suzuki-trained musician, Jonathan learns easily by ear but also reads and writes music. While he is skillful at adapting any of the jazz standards he plays for other styles, his heart is in the Traditional, Dixieland and Swing genres -- the true roots of jazz. Currently, he is studying Suzuki violin at the School for Strings in Manhattan with Allen Lieb, while his jazz studies are with Grammy Award winner Andy Stein, formerly of Prairie Home Companion's Shoe Band and Commander Cody and The Lost Planet Airmen. He also takes Old Time fiddle lessons with Grammy Award nominee Bruce Molsky. Through master classes and camps, Jonathan has had the opportunity to meet and learn from the best...Regina Carter, Mark O’Connor, Richard Greene, Darol Anger, Johnny Frigo, Buddy Spicher, John Blake and many other great teachers. And every gig is a learning experience as well as a blast as he puts out the music and also soaks it in, learning from great band leaders such as Ed Polcer.

Jonathan has performed at major jazz festivals including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Festival in Florida and the Hot Steamed and Great Connecticut jazz festivals in Connecticut. He has also performed at SUNY Purchase, the National Arts Club and the Harvard Club. In the past he has played with Paris Washboard, Titan Hot 7, Pearl Django, Blue Street Jazz Band, Fryer/Barnhart International All-Stars and Chicago 6. Jonathan regularly performs with the Grove Street Stompers and Ed Polcer in New York and Barbone Street in Pennsylvania in addition to a variety of solo and trio gigs around the New York City area. In April of 2006 he recorded his first cd with Ed Polcer, Mark Shane, Mike Weatherly and Kevin Dorn.