Russell Malone

Russell Malone's first guitar was a plastic green toy his mother bought him. Only four years old, Malone strummed the little guitar all day long for days on end trying to emulate the sounds he had heard from guitarists at church in Albany, Georgia. As a child, Malone developed an interest in blues and country music after seeing musicians on television like Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Son Seals, and B.B. King. Then, at age 12, he saw George Benson perform with Benny Goodman on Soundstage. Malone has said, “I knew right then and there that I wanted to play this music.”

A self-taught player, Malone progressed well enough to land a gig with master organist Jimmy Smith when he was 25. “It made me realize that I wasn't as good as I thought I was,” Malone recalls of his first on-stage jam with Smith. After two years with Smith, he went on to join Harry Connick Jr.'s orchestra, a position he held from 1990-94, appearing on three of Connick''s recordings. Malone also worked in a variety of contexts, performing with artists as diverse as Clarence Carter, Little Anthony, Peabo Bryson, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, The Winans, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Jack McDuff.

Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarists performing. He can move from blues to gospel to pop to R&B and jazz without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call upon him: Diana Krall, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Shirley Horn, Christina Aguilera, Harry Connick, Jr, Ron Carter, and Sonny Rollins.

Along the way, Malone has made a name for himself combining the bluesy sound of Grant Green and Kenny Burrell with the relentless attack of Django Reinhardt and Pat Martino. After hearing Malone play in Connick's band, former Sony head, Tommy Mottola, brought Malone over to Columbia. Malone's self-titled debut, Russell Malone, in 1992 quickly went to #1 on the radio charts. This album has Malone playing Electric, Acoustic, and Classical guitars. It also features Harry Connick Jr. on piano, his current employer at the time, joking around on “I Don't Know Enough About You,” a vocal piece by Malone, not Connick.

Russell Malone was quickly followed by his second album, Black Butterfly in 1993, with Paul Keller on Bass, who later became his trio mate with Diana Krall. Diana Krall's label, Verve Records, came calling next and released three albums by Malone: Sweet Georgia Peach (1998), Look Who's Here (2000), and Heartstrings (2001). Hearstrings features a full orchestra with arrangements by Johnny Mandel, Don Caymmi, and Alan Broadbent, accompanied by the all-star rhythm section team of Kenny Barron (piano), Christian McBride (bass), and Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums).

Malone joined Diana Krall in 1995, contributing to Krall's first four Grammy-nominated albums: All For You (1996), Love Scenes (1997), When I Look In Your Eyes (1999), and The Look Of Love (2001). In addition to winning for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, When I Look In Your Eyes (1999) was the first jazz album since 1976 (George Bensons's Breezin') nominated for Album of The Year.

~ 1998 ~ SWEET GEORGIA PEACH ~

Those who have been following jazz in the 90s have probably wondered about guitarist Russell Malone. As in: “Where have his spectacular talents been hiding?”

Hiding in plain sight: as a stogie-smoking, finger-snapping musician in Robert Altman's 1996 movie Kansas City on records like Stephen Scott's 1997 release The Beautiful Thing and Benny Green's 1997 recording Kaleidoscope. Russell Malone was a member of Diana Krall's studio and live band, playing on the Grammy-nominated All For You, Love Scenes, and the Grammy-winning When I Look In Your Eyes, along with touring the world with the vocalist/pianist. Malone was also a member of the Crisol band with Roy Hargrove on the Grammy-winning Latin Jazz release, also from 1997, Habana.

The only thing Malone didn't do for a period of four years - ironically - is record under his own name. Which is hard to believe for an artist hailed as one of the most promising young musicians to emerge in the past decade. That made his Verve/Impulse! debut Sweet Georgia Peach (1998) cause for more than a bit of celebration. The title is a reference to Malone's home state of Georgia. Born November 8, 1963, in Albany, Georgia, he grew up influenced by the deep spirituals of his childhood church environment. He received his first guitar from his intuitive mother - “a green plastic four-string” - at the age of four. A major turning point came at age nine when he saw B.B. King play “How Blue Can You Get” on the popular 70s TV show Sanford and Son. That experience led him to listen to more blues, country music, and jazz, and artists like Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Wes Montgomery and George Benson.

On the Sweet Georgia Peach album, Malone is joined by pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Lewis Nash, and percussionist Steve Kroon.

~ 2004 ~ PLAYGROUND ~

Malone has had the honor of launching the Strings Series for MAXJAZZ with his label debut Playground (April 6, 2004), which features his working band of Martin Bejerano, piano; Tassili Bond, bass; E.J. Strickland, drums; and guests Gary Bartz, saxophone, and Joe Locke, vibes. All arrangements are by Malone, who also produced the CD and wrote six of the ten tracks.

~ 2006 ~ LIVE AT JAZZ STANDARD VOLUME ONE~

Guitarist Russell Malone answers his well received MAXJAZZ debut, Playground (2004) with his first live recording, documenting performances held September 9-11, 2005, at New York's Jazz Standard. Malone has traded recent over-populated groups for his working band, which includes crack pianist Martin Bejerano's sharp direction, supported by bassist Tassili Bond and drummer Johnathan Blake's solid momentum and cyclotron swing.

Russell Malone usually doesn't like to write about his recordings, he says, preferring instead “to let the music speak for itself.” However, he makes an exception here to point out that this is his first live recording with his working band. Malone goes on to note his gratification at being able to make this recording at Jazz Standard, terming it “one of the finest venues in New York.”

~ 2007 ~ LIVE AT JAZZ STANDARD VOLUME TWO ~

Live At Jazz Standard Volume Two is the continuing “sequel” to Russell Malone's Live At Jazz Standard Volume One (2006). Volume Two was released by MAXJAZZ on July 17, 2007. In celebration of this event, a special CD Release “Party” was held July 20 and 21, 2007, at Jazz At The Bistro in St. Louis, Missouri. The two volumes were recorded live at New York City's Jazz Standard on September 9-11, 2005. Russell Malone's fans from all over the world waited patiently for this second and final installment of the live experience of Mr. Malone's guitar wizardry.

~ 2010 ~ TRIPLE PLAY~

On the MAXJAZZ String Series release, Triple Play, Malone performs with great expression and swinging energy. Triple Play, with a US release date of November 2, 2010, represents the first pianoless trio recording of Malone's illustrious career and his fourth release for MAXJAZZ. Accompanying him are bassist David Wong and drummer Montez Coleman. Malone celebrated the release of Triple Play from October 20-23, 2010, at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, Missouri.

2010 found Malone touring with legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins who celebrated his 80th birthday in New York in a memorable concert at the Beacon Theatre on September 10, 2010. Malone joined vocalist Dianne Reeves, With Strings Attached, for the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, (also with Romero Lubambo, a MAXJAZZ artist). Russell continues to tour extensively with Dianne Reeves With Strings Attached and bassist Ron Carter's Golden Striker Trio (with another fellow MAXJAZZ recording artist and pianist Mulgrew Miller). Currently, in 2011 and into 2012, Malone can also be seen touring with his trio of David Wong or Tassili Bond on bass and Darrell Green on drums.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Ryan

Source: Kandie Le Britain Webster, Contributing Editor

Press Quotes:

“Russell Malone’s lyrical guitar work has projected him into the mainstream of jazz guitar. Having dazzling technique erupt at will, as well as melodic, mellow ballad material, Malone shows extraordinary skill across his six strings. His skillful interpretations stir the imagination while igniting the soul.” ~ Jazz St. Louis

“Lyricism remains a vital part of Malone's music, and he certainly has achieved a unique guitar voice in jazz's mainstream. His powerful technique erupts when he wants it to, while his warm and mellow ballad material rests comfortably on yearning ears.” ~~ Jim Santella, All About Jazz

“Where Russell Malone channeled Grant Green on the first half of this live set, Live at The Jazz Standard, Volume 1, the guitarist comes fully into his own on Live at The Jazz Standard, Volume 2. There is only one real “standard” in the set, Malone's shimmering take on Irving Berlin's “How About Me.” The remainder of the recording is all Malone with some thoughtfully selected vehicles.” ~~ C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

“Although he possesses dazzling technique, Malone is a highly melodic and lyrical player who eschews pyrotechnical displays.” ~~ (Not sure who wrote it, but it is being used on Russell Malone's concert write-ups. klbw)

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