Jazz Articles about Russell Gunn

Russell Gunn: Plays Miles

by John Kelman
March 21, 2007

Since introducing his hip hop/funk/fusion-centric Ethnomusicology series in 1999--culminating in Ethnomusicology Vol. 4: Live in Atlanta (Justin-Time, 2004)-- forward-looking trumpeter Russell Gunn has alternated straight-ahead fare for HighNote like 2002's Blue on the D.L., with Ethnomusicology releases for a variety of labels. With Plays Miles, however, he finds clear common ground. Given his steadfast avoidance of labeling it's no surprise that Gunn is gradually moving towards a unified approach that brings together all of his diverse musical interests.

There's no ...

Russell Gunn: Ethnomusicology Vol. 4: Live in Atlanta

by John Kelman
October 29, 2004

As an alternative to Wynton Marsalis, who steadfastly hangs onto the singular American Jazz Tradition and, granted, eloquently and skillfully keeps it alive through his playing, educating and entrepreneuring, trumpeter Russell Gunn has shown an unerring desire over the course of the past ten years to merge styles into a personal language that asserts jazz as the melting pot it truly is. As much as Gunn has proven himself to be a capable hard and post bop player on early ...

Russell Gunn: Ethnomusicology, Vol. 3

by AAJ Staff
October 7, 2003

Russell Gunn has a problem with critics--but only the ones who don't like his music. The third track on this record makes this point more than abundantly clear. And it's pure hypocrisy.

Regardless, I'm afraid I'll have to join this elite group. Gunn's last record (Vol. 2) was a brilliant blending of jazz with hip-hop, funk and other styles. Vol. 3 has crossed the line into pure indulgence and fallen off the edge. A few inspired combinations drown ...

Russell Gunn: Ethnomusicology, Vol. 2

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2001

Trumpeter Russell Gunn demonstrated a very personal vision of jazz fusion on the first volume in this series, which generated a lot of media interest and earned him a Grammy nomination. He continues along the same vein with Ethnomusicology, Vol. 2, a fine showcase for his manifold crossover interests.

It's too easy to dismiss this music as lightweight or trivial. Gunn is serious about his work, and there's ample evidence on Ethnomusicology, Vol. 2 to prove the point. His interpretation ...

Russell Gunn: Ethnomusicology, Volume 1

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1999

Few attempts at a jazz and hip hop union have ever been successful or satisfying. Maybe it's one school's inability to understand the other or the problematic potential of getting two such different audiences in the same room. But, somehow, the maverick 28-year-old trumpeter Russell Gunn has made it work with Ethnomusicology, one of the finest and most original jazz documents to come along in some time. On this, his first Atlantic set, Gunn departs distinctively from his previous Muse ...

Russell Gunn: Young Gunn Plus

by Jim Santella
August 1, 1998

Recorded in 1994 when young lion Russell Gunn was a mere 23 years old, the Muse album Young Gunn is a quintet session with tenor saxophonist Sam Newsome, pianist John Hicks, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Cecil Brooks III. This 32 Jazz reissue adds three tracks with a different quintet. Coming from a background that like that of many younger jazz artists, Russell Gunn learned the trumpet in elementary school, enjoyed and benefited from public school instrumental programs, and allowed ...

Russell Gunn: Young Gunn Plus

by Douglas Payne
August 1, 1998

This solid and engaging mainstream debut was first issued on Muse Records in 1995 when trumpeter Russell Gunn was 24 years old. That disc didn't attract much attention and Gunn went on to work with Wynton ( Blood on the Fields ) and Brandford Marsalis ( Buckshot LeFonque ) then followed up his debut with last year's Gunn Fu (HighNote). But the wise folks at 32 Jazz thought Young Gunn deserved another chance.Much will probably be made of ...