George Russell, a Cincinnati-born jazz composer, conductor, pianist, and theorist, was the main force behind the development of modal jazz. Russell was a drummer for Benny Carter’s group in the 1940s. Max Roach replaced Russell and he decided to quit drumming after watching Roach perform. He made New York his home and became a member of a group that met in Gil Evans’ apartment. These musicians included Miles Davis and Gerry Mulligan, Max Roach and Johnny Carisi, as well as Charlie Parker. Russell was asked to compose a piece for Dizzy’s orchestra in 1947. He wrote Cubano Be/Cubano Bop, which was the first fusion between Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz. Russell’s breakthrough was made while he was in hospital for 16 months with tuberculosis. Russell had asked Miles Davis his musical goals. He replied, “To learn all the changes.” Russell understood this to be Miles already knowing all chord changes. The result was The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization. Published in 1953, it opened the door to modal jazz like Kind of Blue. Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Theory is a key piece of music theory that has had a significant influence on jazz music. During the 1950s, 60s and 70s Russell was a leader in several important groups, including Bill Evans, Bob Brookmeyer and John Coltrane. He also led Eric Dolphy’s Jan Garbarek, Terje Ridal and others. Russell, now in his 80s and still conducting the Living Time Orchestra. Russell has been the recipient of many awards, including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. You can read more on his web site: http://www.georgerussell.com/gr.html User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.
