Trumpet.
Raised in Kansas City and Denver, Russell played with the early Kansas City swing band led by George E. Lee and inspired Buck Clayton to take up trumpet. A high-note specialist, Russell also played with Grant Moore and His Original New Orleans Black Devils, a “territory band” that toured the midwest, and soloed on two recordings by Moore. After playing with drummer Vernon Brown in a band led by Burt Bailey, in Milwaukee, Russell was reccommended by Brown to Al Pierre, and Rusell moved to Seattle to play with Pierre throughout the 1940s.
Jackson Street After Hours (print). No known online links.