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Lee Russo is a freelance saxophonist in Albany,
NY. Lee became interested in music at a young age. He was inspired by his father, Leo Russo who is also a saxophonist
and a longtime Albany legend. Leo introduced the music of Stan Getz to Lee and soon after that Lee heard the Miles
Davis Quintet recording "Friday Night at the Blackhawk" and fell in love with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley.
Inevitably, he became hooked on the saxophone and jazz.
Immediately following high school Lee started his undergraduate studies at The
College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. It was there that he began studying saxophone from Paul Evoskevich and later began improvisation
lessons from guitarist Jack Fragomeni. During this time Lee also had the opportunity of playing in the Saint Rose Jazz Ensemble
and working under the direction of many guest artists/clinicians which included Bob Mintzer, Claudio Roditi, Bill Watrous,
Bill Cinliffe, Chris Vadala, Renee Rosness, Rufus Reid, Akira Tana and Nick Brignola. After two years at CSR, Lee spent a
year working as a mail courier, teaching private lessons and playing gigs with some local big bands and combos and then transferred
to The Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam).
At Crane Lee studied with saxophonist Bob Faub and jazz trombonist Brett Zvacek. He also had the
great pleasure of working in master classes/clinics with guest artists Donald Sinta, Hal Galper, Jerry Bergonzi, The New York
Hardbop Quintet, Kenny Wheeler and Dave Demsey. While at Crane Lee met long time friends Nick Mancini (vibraphone) and Lou
Smaldone (bass) and had the opportunity to play as a trio at many functions in the Potsdam and Albany areas. After receiving
his degree from SUNY Potsdam, Lee Russo began teaching music in the Niskayuna Central School District in Niskayuna, NY. He
taught there for two years and then took a high school position at Guilderland High School in Guilderland Center, NY where
he currently directs two jazz ensembles and concert band. He also teaches woodwind lessons and music technology.
Currently, Lee works regularly with Joe Barna's group which
ranges from organ trio to sextet, leads his own trio/quartet with Lou Smaldone on bass and Joe Barna on drums, co-leads the
Leo & Lee Russo Quartet with his father Leo Russo, plays tenor with Keith Pray's Big Soul Ensemble, Mike Benedict
-Jazz Vibes and he has occasional gigs with Teresa Broadwell's Thrivin' on a Riff. He has released two CD's
as a band leader. "Trading Off" (2006) and "The Abenaki" (2007). Other playing experience includes:
Cliff Brucker Duo/Trio,
Out Of Control Rhythm and Blues Band, Direct Drive, Empire Jazz Orchestra (included guest artists: Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker,
Wycliffe Gordon, Byron Stripling, Rufus Reid, and Lew Soloff), Capital District Jazz Ensemble led by Leo Russo, Leo Russo
Octet, Leo Russo Quartet, Mike Benedict Big Band, Mike Benedict Quartet/Quintet, Mike Wicks Sextet, Jazz Factor led by Paul
Supple, Pete Sweeney Quartet, Adrian Cohen Quartet, Joe Barna Trio/Quartet/Quintet, Nick Mancini Trio/Quartet, Carnival Cruise
Lines (Performer on the M.S. Ecstasy -Summer 1996) and woodwind player for many Capital Region shows.
Additional experience in education:
Private saxophone
studio (one-on-one lessons), jazz ensemble director at Clarkson University (1994-95), jazz improvisation clinics in the Shenendehowa,
East Greenbush, Guilderland and Niskayuna Central School Districts, All-County Wind Ensemble(Green County)(2000), Area All-State
Jazz Ensemble (Zone 7)(2003), All-County (Columbia County) Jazz Ensemble (October 2006) and The Niskayuna CSD Jazz Festival
February 2008).
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