Hal's Hal Russell

Hal Russell (born Harold Luttenbacher, 28 August 1926–1992) was an American free jazz musician. He performed mainly on drums and saxophone, but occasionally on trumpet or vibraphone. Russel's fiery music was marked by significant humor, not unlike much of Dutch drummer Han Bennink's output. His music was so accessible that People magazine hailed The Finnish Swiss Tour on ECM as one of its top 5 albums of the year.

Hal McKusick - The Jazz Workshop (1956) {RCA Victor–BMG Music rel 2001}
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© 1956, 2001 RCA Victor / BMG Music | 74321913522
Jazz / Cool / Saxophone

The cool-toned altoist Hal McKusick was a flexible, if not all that distinctive soloist. He is heard in four settings on this British LP, ranging from a pianoless quartet to a quintet and an octet. Among the supporting cast are trumpeter Art Farmer, guitarist Barry Galbraith, and trombonist Jimmy Cleveland. George Russell (who plays drums on one number) contributed three songs, and the other composers are a who's who of the era: Johnny Mandel, Gil Evans (a version of "Blues for Pablo" that predates Miles Davis' from Miles Ahead), Jimmy Giuffre, Manny Albam, and Al Cohn. Fine modern mainstream music from the mid-'50s, although this album may be difficult to find.

George Russell - The Complete Bluebird Recordings (ft. Bill Evans) (1956) {2005 Lone Hill Jazz}
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© 2005 Lone Hill Jazz | LHJ 10177
Jazz / Bop / Post Bop / Third Stream

This CD presents two original RCA/Bluebird albums from 1956: "George Russell Smalltet!" (1956) paired with "Hal McKusick’s Jazz Workshop" plus 4 Bonus Tracks. One of the most important and influential composers, arrangers, theorists and conductors in contemporary jazz, this release includes the three different 1956 sessions that mark George Russell’s complete recording legacy with Bluebird as a leader. In addition to these dates, this CD also includes the two different sessions set under the leadership of alto saxophonist and flautist Hal McKusick with compositions and arrangements by George Russell as bonus tracks. All recorded in New York City.

George Russell - Jazz In The Space Age (1960) {Decca–GRP GRD-826 rel 1998} (featuring Bill Evans)
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© 1960, 1998 Decca / GRP / Universal | GRD-826
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Jazz

George Russell's third release as a leader combines two adventurous sessions. The first features two pianists, Bill Evans and Paul Bley, and a large ensemble including Ernie Royal, Dave Baker, Walt Levinsky, Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton, and Don Lamond, among others. The three-part suite "Chromatic Universe" is an ambitious work which mixes free improvisation with written passages that have not only stood the test of time but still sound very fresh. "The Lydiot" focuses on the soloists, while incorporating elements from "Chromatic Universe" and other Russell compositions.

George Russell - The Complete Remastered Recordings on Black Saint and Soul Note (2010) {9CD CAM Jazz BXS 1005}
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© 2010 CAM Jazz / Black Saint / Soul Note | BXS 1005
Jazz / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Experimental / Piano

THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE is a monographic box-set collection aimed at recounting the most beautiful chapters that revolutionised the history of jazz. This new series was launched in March 2010 with the simultaneous release of four box-sets, including albums by some of the artists who participated in the success of the outstanding labels. A philological work, beginning with the original recordings on multi-track master tapes, patiently integrally remastered paying strict attention to the sound quality.

Hal McKusick - Cross Section: Saxes (1958) {Decca Japan, Cardboard Sleeve, UCCC-9104 rel 2004}
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© 1958, 2004 Decca / Verve / Universal Japan | UCCC-9104
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Saxophone / Clarinet

24bit/96kHz digitally remastered reissue. Comes housed in a cardboard sleeve which is a mini replica of the original LP sleeve. Hal McKusick's final recording as a leader mixes three separate sessions with contributions by four great arrangers. The cast of musicians varies from onedate to the next, although McKusick and pianist Bill Evans are present on every track, while Art Farmer, Milt Hinton, and Barry Galbraith also make strong impressions.

George Russell's third release as a leader combines two adventurous sessions. The first features two pianists, Bill Evans and Paul Bley, and a large ensemble including Ernie Royal, Dave Baker, Walt Levinsky, Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton, and Don Lamond, among others. The three-part suite "Chromatic Universe" is an ambitious work which mixes free improvisation with written passages that have not only stood the test of time but still sound very fresh. "The Lydiot" focuses on the soloists, while incorporating elements from "Chromatic Universe" and other Russell compositions. The second session adds trumpeter Marky Markowitz, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, alto saxophonist Hal McKusick, and drummer Charlie Persip to the earlier group…

Calling All Mothers is the NRG Ensemble's first album with saxophonist Ken Vandermark taking the place of late group founder Hal Russell, but one wouldn't know just by listening, as the group sounds confident and very much together here. Featuring three tunes apiece by Russell, Vandermark, and saxophonist Mars Williams, plus one by percussionist Steve Hunt and one collective improvisation, the album has a nice element of diversity, yet it still coheres well…