Russell Gunn is widely known for being the primary source of inspiration for this current generation of Jazz musicians. A two-time Grammy nominee, Russell’s “Ethnomusicology” series of recordings paved the way for the new sound. Russell was also the featured trumpeter in the equally influential band “Buckshot LeFonque” headed by Branford Marsalis, while simultaneously being a featured trumpeter in the early days of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Russell became the new trumpet sensation in New York when his solo on Wynton Marsalis’ Pulitzer Prize winning Jazz oratorio “Blood On The Fields” was released. In the time since, Russell founded, composes for, arranges and conducts the “Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra” and was commissioned by the Apollo Theater in New York for his large work “The Blues and it’s People”. Russell has recorded and toured with a who’s who of music, including Lou Reed, D’Angelo, Harry Connick Jr.,Maxwell, Oliver Lake, Marcus Miller, Ne-Yo, Robert Glasper, Cee-Lo Green, The Baylor Project just to name a few. Russell is currently the featured trumpeter with Marcus Miller, and is touring non stop across the globe.

Russell Gunn & Blackhawk – New project “Origin Story”

Although Russell is a certified modern influence, He felt it was time to pay homage to his roots. This recording “Origin Story” does exactly that. Russell’s quartet blazes triumphantly through the material that influenced him as a young musician, most in particular from the recording that was most influential to the “Young Gunn”. The music from Miles Davis’ “Live at the Blackhawk”. This recording is so meaningful to Russell that the very name of the band is an homage. The idea for this recording came about years ago when Russell was touring with Harry Connick Jr. Fellow “Live at the Blackhawk” enthusiast and great Tenor Sax man Jerry Weldon and Russell would sing along to all solo’s, drum hits, and piano comps of that Miles record. It was Jerry Weldon that convinced Russell to ask Jimmy Cobb who is the drummer on Miles’ Live at the Blackhawk to participate on the first gigs of Russell Gunn and Blackhawk. The band featuring Jimmy Cobb performed at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, Dizzy’s in New York, and The Velvet Note in Atlanta, which is why Russell felt it necessary to record this album at The Velvet Note being this was the last place they played together before Jimmy’s passing.

Russell Gunn & Blackhawk is jazz at it’s finest. No safety net, no overdubs, just pure heart, soul and fire!