Kris Russell, a jazz vocalist, was born in Sacramento. She discovered her love for jazz music as a teenager, and she recalls singing since the age of seven. Kris was learning from her parents, who have a vast collection of jazz recordings. While her peers were listening to rock and folk music, Kris was listening to them. Her parents were both jazz musicians and she and her father formed the “Jerry Murphy Quartet”, which entertained in Sacramento and Northern California for more than 40 years. Kris was deeply influenced by jazz and singing naturally came to her. She studied jazz singers like Anita O’day and June Christy. She also sang in her parents’ Sacramento home on sunny afternoons. These singers introduced her, among others, to swing, traditional jazz, cool jazz, the Great American Songbook and traditional jazz. Boss Nova, Samba and Boss Nova were heavily influences in her musical style. She spent hours listening to and learning styles from Sergio Mendez and Marcos K Valle Leny Andrade as well as Antonio Carlos Jobim and Marcos K Valle Leny Andrade. Cole Porter was a composer she adored and many of her early influences. She inspired her to release “I Concentrate On You”, one of his most well-known songs, as her debut CD. Her second CD, which was released May 15, 2017, is inspired by a contemporary jazz artist who has a contemporary Bossa Nova sound. The newest single is a Michael Franks track titled “Down In Brazil”. Her first release, ” I Concentrate on You” garnered a good deal of radio airplay on Smoothjazz.com Global Radio, Jazz Radio Network , Radio Sky Music Jazz, Mood Media and it’s 580,000 locations around the globe, Xenox Media in 20 countries and 50,000 media outlets, CJazzChannel, Smooth Jazz Boston WJMX, radio stations, in France, Italy, Denmark, Canada and many other USA and European radio stations , and was also featured on the TM Century Compilation Gold Disc on 8/26/2016 , which included various other popular recording artists…..see her website at http://www.krisrusselljazz.com/ ! Her past Las Vegas appearances include The Plaza Hotel Jazz Brunch and Showroom. Kris performed several times at the Smith Center in Las Vegas with Jim Caruso, Grammy-winning composer, musical director and pianist, and The Bootlegger. Billy Stritch: “Kris Russell is always an unforgettable addition to our cast-party Open Mice Nights in Las Vegas.” Her light-hearted style is infectious and makes the stage a lively place. I love performing for her. I’m always thrilled to see Kris Russell as Cast Party NYC moves from NY to Las Vegas. But ….she also sings …. and everyone is over-the moon! Kris has a wonderful style and voice that combines swinging singing with an understanding of the lyrics. Brava Kris!” Jim Caruso hosts Jim Caruso’s Cast Party. This new album “Down in Brazil” was recorded at StudioPros in Los Angeles, California. It was arranged by Kris Russell (and The Mystery Jazz Ensemble), six talented session musicians with a variety of major label credits. This Bossa Nova is more modern and driven, with a smooth jazz sound due to the inclusion of guitar and saxophone. Kris also decided to include a newer sound while still keeping the traditional instruments and Bossa Nova sound that she loves. This new recording of “Down in Brazil” features Kris seamlessly blending the style and sophisticated sound of her early jazz influences. from www.krisrusselljazz.com
