Biography
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Born
8 November 1963
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Born In
Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, United States
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Died
23 August 2024 (aged 60)
Russell Malone (born in Albany, Georgia on 8 November 1963; died 23 August 2024) was an American jazz guitarist remembered for his work with Jimmy Smith in 1988 and subsequently his work with Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s.
Malone was an essentially self-taught swing jazz guitarist. Malone played with jazz organist Jimmy Smith from 1988—1990. He then joined the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band from 1989-1994. In 1995, Malone became part of the Diana Krall trio, participating in three Grammy-nominated albums, the final one in 1999, "When I Look In Your Eyes," winning Best Vocal Jazz Performance.
In addition to touring regularly as leader of The Russell Malone Quartet,Malone appeared with Dianne Reeves and Romero Lubambo. He also toured frequently with Ron Carter as part of the Golden Striker Trio often featuring Mulgrew Miller at piano. Other special guest appearances included Malone with Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Hank Jones (in celebration of his 90th birthday). October, 2008, found Russell Malone in duo at Yoshi's in Oakland, California, with fellow jazz guitarist and Grammy-winner Bill Frisell. The duo toured again in February, 2009, in the Pacific Northwest.
Malone's MAXJAZZ releases, "Live At Jazz Standard, Volume One" (2006) and Live At Jazz Standard, Volume Two" (2007) featured Martin Bejerano on piano, Tassili Bond on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums.
An adept jazz guitarist with a clean attack and fluid, lyrical style,Russell Malone often played in a swinging, straight-ahead style weaving in elements of blues, gospel, and R&B. Born in Albany, Georgia in 1963, Malone first began playing guitar around age four on a toy instrument, quickly graduating to the real thing. Largely self-taught, he initially drew inspiration listening to the recordings of gospel and blues artists including the Dixie Hummingbirds and B.B. King. However, after seeing George Benson perform with Benny Goodman on a television show, Malone was hooked on jazz and began intently studying albums by legendary guitarists like Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery.
By his twenties, Malone was an accomplished performer, and in 1988 joined organist Jimmy Smith's band. Soon after, he also became a member of Harry Connick, Jr.'s big band, appearing on Connick's 1991 effort, Blue Light, Red Light. With his growing reputation as a sideman, Malone next caught the attention of pianist/vocalist Diana Krall, with whom he would work throughout much of the '90s and 2000s. Also during this period, Malone appeared with a bevy of name artists including Branford Marsalis, Benny Green, Terell Stafford, Ray Brown, and others.
As a solo artist, Malone made his debut with 1992's Russell Malone, followed a year later by Black Butterfly. In 1999, he released Sweet Georgia Peach, which featured a guest appearance from pianist Kenny Barron. Malone kicked off the 2000s with several albums on Verve, including 2000's Look Who's Here and 2001's orchestral jazz-themed Heartstrings. He then moved to Maxjazz for 2004's Playground, featuring a guest appearance from saxophonist Gary Bartz, followed by 2010's Triple Play.
Over the next several years, Malone appeared on albums by Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Ron Carter, as well as Krall bandmate bassist Ben Wolfe. In 2015, he returned to solo work with the eclectic small-group album Love Looks Good on You, followed in 2016 by All About Melody, both on HighNote.
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