Biography
William Eugene Russell (February 12, 1926 – May 5, 1981), known as Gene Russell, was an American pop, jazz, and soul keyboardist who played acoustic and Fender Rhodes. He is mainly known for founding and releasing albums on Black Jazz Records. Russell was born in Los Angeles, California and was a cousin of guitarist Charlie Christian. He studied with Hampton Hawes. In the 1960s and 1970s, he composed music for film and television also appearing as an actor. Russell played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Zoot Sims, William (Bill) Hillman, Leroy Vinnegar, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray and Miles Davis. With financing from Dick Schrory, Russell established Black Jazz Records in 1969. The aim of the record label was to promote young African American jazz musicians and singers. He died in Los Angeles on May 5, 1981.
Bio from Wikipedia
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.
Spirit Of The New Land
1972
Hear, Sense And Feel
1972
Coral Keys
1971
Mirage
1973
The Skipper
1972
The Second Coming
1973
Keeper Of My Soul
1973
Talk To My Lady
1973
Infant Eyes
1971
New Direction
1971
Spring Rain
1971
If It Don't Fit, Don't Force It
1977
Higher Ground
1976
Adam's Apple
1974
Proceed With Caution!
1974
Plenty Good Eaton
1975
Credited work
401 releases · 49 albums · active 1957–2026
- Production · 380
- Engineering · 146
- Performance · 132
- Other credits · 40
Studios: Streeterville Studios · Hollywood Spectrum, Los Angeles · Spectrum Studios, Venice, CA · Sage & Sand Studios
Frequent collaborators
- Kellee Patterson
- Various
- Doug Carn
- The Awakening (4)
- Calvin Keys
- Rudolph Johnson
- Cleveland Eaton
- Henry Franklin