George Russell

George Russell

Author: BBC Radio 3 September 26, 2009 Duration: 24:56

The jazz composer and theorist George Russell was a major innovator in jazz for over 50 years. In an archive interview with Alyn Shipton, Russell looks back at the highlights of a recorded repertoire that began with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and went on to encompass modal jazz and the dawn of jazz rock fusion.

George Russell was a ceaseless experimenter - spending most of his life writing his theoretical masterwork on Lydian Modal theory - but on the way writing extended compositions for Dizzy Gillespie in the 1940s, introducing Miles Davis and John Coltrane to modal jazz in the '50s, and mixing world jazz and rock with Jan Garbarek and Terje Rypdal in the 60s. His Living Time Orchestra ran from the '70s to the present decade and included innovative soloists from both sides of the Atlantic. In conversation with Alyn Shipton, who visited Russell at his home near the New England Conservatory in Boston, the composer looks back at what he considers the highlights of his work, and at his standard compositions such as All About Rosie and Ezz-Thetic.


Curated by BBC Radio 3, Jazz Library is more than a simple listening guide; it’s an invitation to explore the vast and varied landscape of jazz history through its most essential recordings. Each episode focuses on a single, pivotal artist, from the foundational giants to the pioneering innovators, offering a deep and contextual dive into their work. You’ll hear insightful commentary alongside carefully selected musical excerpts that trace artistic development and highlight landmark albums. This approach provides a rich, narrative framework, transforming a collection of songs into a coherent story. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the genre's breadth or simply looking to deepen their appreciation, this podcast serves as a trusted companion. It helps in building a meaningful and personal archive of jazz, one informed by knowledge and passion rather than chance. Tune in to discover the stories behind the sounds and find a clearer path through one of music's most rewarding traditions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Jazz Library
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