Ray Russell

Ray Russell is a guitarist/composer who has had a truly exceptional career. He is primarily known for his session work - you will have heard his playing on David Bowie’s Space Oddity, Tina Turner’s Private Dancer and numerous other tracks with artists as diverse as Freddie Mercury, Gil Evans and Andy Williams. You will also have heard some of his vast array of award-winning soundtrack compositions, which include the theme tunes to “Bergerac” and “A Touch of Frost”. Ray’s own original music is powerful, superbly melodic guitar-led jazz fusion/crossover; his first recordings under his own name in the late 60’s were solidly rooted in modern jazz, but soon evolved to reveal a creative appetite that stretched beyond limitation to any particular genre, containing elements of progressive rock, blues, funk, folk and ambient sound. His 2013 release, “Now, More Than Ever” (the first in seven years) shows that his ability to weave and dodge with apparent ease between moods and styles is same as it ever was, and his gift for a melodic riff or phrase just as pleasurable to hear. Though Ray’s never been a household name, amongst his fellow musicians and aficionados he is heralded as one of the greats, and his occasional live gigs, tonight featuring Malcolm Edmonstone (Dave Liebman) on piano, George Baldwin (Dominic Miller) on bass and the brilliant Mark Mondesir (Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin) on drums, are a truly special occasion not to be missed by fans of this music.

“...a fearsomely gifted [guitar] player who relies on taste rather than speed” BBC Jazz;
“this unusual artist's identity – a fusion of raw R&B….and seductive lyricism” Guardian;
“Ray Russell isn't merely a fine jazz player, but a truly original music thinker and an improvisational force to be reckoned with.” All Music Guide;
"Edmonstone.....truly an astonishing musician” The Daily Telegraph