Russ's "reflections" CD is an elaborate, live-off-the-floor, multiple session recording. Two groups of musicians, the "Jazz Guys" and the "Groove Guys", were handpicked based on Russ’s knowledge of their individual talents through several years of gigging.
The "Jazz Guys" are Joe Huron (guitar), Mark Rutherford (piano and Fender Rhodes), Neil Numminen (fretless bass), Bruce Campbell (drums), and Tim Moore (percussion).
The "Groove Guys" (drawn from Wayne Buttery’s group, The Groove Project) include Wayne (guitar and vocal), Bob Federer (Rhodes, organ and synth strings), Charlie Hinkel (electric bass), Dennis King (drums), and Paul Robillard (trumpet).
Influences
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Lee Allen, Paul Desmond, Stanley Turrentine, King Curtis, Cannonball Adderley, and many more...
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (1922-1986)
Possessor of a cutting and immediately identifiable tough tenor tone, Eddie could hold his own in a saxophone battle with anyone.
Lee Allen (1926-1994)
Back when rock & roll burst out of roadhouses and clubs on the wrong side of town and onto the airwaves, the saxophone was every bit as important as the guitar, piano, or drums in defining the sound. Lee Allen was at the forefront of it all, backing numerous hit singers such as Fats Domino, Little Richard, Lloyd Price
Paul Desmond (1924-1977)
best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his infamous composition "Take Five."
King Curtis (1034-1971)
He began doing session work for R&B and rock and roll artists in the mid-Fifties. One of his most memorable solos, and the one that sealed his reputation as a rock and roll sideman, appeared in the Coasters' 1958 smash, "Yakety Yak."
Cannonball Adderley (1928-1975)
Songs made famous by Adderley and his bands include 'This Here' (written by Bobby Timmons), 'The Jive Samba', 'Work Song' (written by Nat Adderley) and 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' (written by Joe Zawinul).
Sounds Like
"... his heart is in two genres... Bebop & Fusion! Reedman Russ Strathdee's warm, polyphonic, & ambitious style assimilates well into both disciplines.
Strathdee plays his horn with a gentle touch... Often associated with the ''cool school''...
But, his harmonic & rhythmic inflection & drive, seem more fitted to the bebop idiom.
That said, I propose that Russ plays from the modern jazz tradition, along with a genuinely
versatile artistic bent, & with his own personal style. His CD project is rich with a resonant
palette of tone colors & imagination... Along with a blend of exceptional side-man artistry, & clever,
contemporary music."
Originally trained in piano (through the Royal Conservatory of Music), Russ was lured to become a sax player by early radio and recording greats such as Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, etc... See Influences for more.
In the early 60's Russ played R&B and jazz as a member of the "Silhouettes", a house band in the original Club Blue Note on Toronto's Yonge Street (along with Doug Riley, Steve Kennedy, Dianne Brooks, Shirley Mathews, etc.). He went on to head a group called "The Ramblers" at Toronto's Zanzibar Tavern, during which time he turned down an offer by Ronnie Hawkins to join the Hawks. With mixed feelings, he heeded his parents' advice to stay in college and not become a full-time musician at that time.
With over 60 credits in the recording industry, Russ performed and recorded with popular Toronto groups such as "The Regents, with Dunc & Judy" and "The Majestics" featuring Shawn and Jay Jackson. He appeared with the Majestics on a regular television series of CBC called "Where It's At". Russ also gigged with many other groups including "Robbie Laine and the Disciples", "Ritchie Knight and the Midnights", "Little Caesar and The Consuls", 100 Huntley Street's "Stacey", to name but a few.
Now living in Barrie just north of Toronto, Russ regularly performs with ..The Martels Rock and Roll Show.. (www.themartels.com) , the Figleaf Jazz Band (www.figleafjazz.com), The Groove Project (www.waynebuttery.com), L!NKS (www.kenlosell.com), JazzTex, plus others in the Huronia area.
Gifted with a quick ear, Russ feels quite comfortable improvising on the tenor, alto, soprano and bari sax in many genres, including blues, jazz, R&B, rock and country. Having studied music at Humber College, he teaches saxophone to a select number of serious students.
Russ I have so many ways of searching musicians that I couldn't say exactly which way you came up. The guitarist is juno award winning jazz guitarist Michael Occhipinti. I appreciate you taking the time to email me. You inspire me to continue sharing my passion for music. I value our Myspace friendship so please subscribe to my Blogs so we can stay connected and you can have the latest information on music releases.
Luv & Respect Makeda
P.S. Usual fans or estates run the myspace for deceased friends.
thank you for the message about Sky.fm. I appreciated it. I found a producer in L.A. for my new Cd! I love your music and your groove! Hey, I played two times with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis with a Big Band in my town, Bari-Italy on the 1985!
