Album Notes

Steve was born into music. Son of highly respected classical and jazz pianist, Peg Russell, he received a thorough classical training and was performing as early as the age of five. He also became an accomplished bassist and guitarist in his teens.

He soon embarked on a busy musical career, his skills and versatility much in demand in the Australian music scene. His 25 years of extensive sideman experience include the likes of international jazz artists, James Morrison, Eartha Kitt, Dale Barlow, Richie Cole, Chuck Findlay, Georgie Fame, and Nancy Wilson, contemporary Australian musicians Mark Simmonds, Bernie McGann, Jim Kelly, Bob Gebert, Tommy Emmanuel, Roger Frampton, Kristin Berardi, James Sherlock and Australian jazz icons Don Burrows and George Golla. He has jammed with jazz drummer Billy Hart and bassist Miroslav Vitous and has support credits for Gerry Mulligan and Wynton Marsalis.

Steve has considerable experience in most contemporary styles of music, and recording experience with live-to-air performances on ABC Radio National and ABC TV, and on jazz discs like Jim Kelly's "Salient Points", the Baartz Freeman Sextet’s “Southeast”, Sharny Russell’s “A Good Thing On Hold", and “Transit Lounge” with blues artist Ross Ward.

Steve was for several years musical director of the highly acclaimed Brisbane jazz outfit, Leah Cotterell and Bebopera. The Steve Russell Trio performed weekly for two years at the Jazz'n'Blues Bar (Brisbane) and his jazz/fusion quintet, Real Time, featuring Tony Buchanan, drew consistently large audiences. His 2001 debut as a conductor for White Dove's critically acclaimed production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" has led to further invitations to conduct orchestras. His performances with the hugely successful Brisbane show “Women In Voice” in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, with artists such as Chrissy Amphlett, Katrina Olsen and Deborah Conway, have enhanced his reputation as a sympathetic accompanist.

He is presently performing with a reunited Crossfire, the legendary Sydney jazz-rock group, and working as Musical Director for singer Grace Knight. Steve also performs at various Australian jazz festivals, and appears at the iconic venues, Sydney's "Basement" and "Bennetts Lane" in Melbourne.

He has been Associate Lecturer and Acting Coordinator of the Jazz and Popular Music strand of the Bachelor of Arts, Music, program at the Queensland University of Technology, and is presently Head of Keyboard and Ensemble Studies at Southern Cross University.

Steve is currently writing new repertoire for his quintet.