RUSSELL, Hal (b 28 August 1926, Detroit MI; d 5 September 1992, Chicago) Composer, multi-instrumentalist, leader of NRG Ensemble. As a teenager, he moved to Chicago and majored in trumpet at U. of Illinois. However, his primary instruments were the drums and vibes. In the 1940s, he played with Woody Herman, Boyd Raeburn, and Sonny Rollins in Chicago clubs. He also played in a small group with Benny Goodman, Miles Davis and Stan Getz in Chicago clubs. Daley did not achieve fame or fortune but he never gave up on playing. He had a day job as a Pat Boone session player in the 1950s and stated that he needed the money but was glad the records didn’t include his name. By c.1971, Russell had found his voice and was leading experimental groups in Chicago, including Hal Russell’s Chemical Feast. He often played with Mars Williams, a saxophonist (later with the Waitresses Psychedelic Furs and Liquid Soul). To be able show his sidemen what he wanted, he took up the C-melody sax to help him. He then bought a Cmelody for a cheap price and discovered his true love: the tenor. After a long career as a teacher, he started playing in everything from dixieland and show bands. He finally formed the NRG Ensemble in late 1970s. They sounded larger than they were, with the quintet playing over a dozen instruments and percussion on Hal Russell NRG Ensemble 1981 on Nessa. The album also featured four Russell tunes, including ‘Linda Jazz Princess’. Linda Prince produced Conserving NRG Ensemble 84 on Principally Jazz 84. It contained nine tracks, including Bley’s and Hunt’s contributions. Sandstrom’s Pontiac’, suggested by Sonny Boy Williamson in ‘Pontiac Blues, ‘, becomes one of jazz/R.
