RUSS GREEN
Bringing Electrifying Harmonica To The Blues
Although Russ grew up on the west-side of Chicago, his desire to play music did not blossom until after he completed a tour in the US Army and entering film school at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
His desire was to play like Jimi Hendrix, but his bank account forbid him from buying a guitar. A forgotten harmonica, purchased years before in Chicago, became his instrument of choice.
Russ began working hard at recreating the sounds of Jimi on his harp. When he returned to Chicago he was told to go hear Sugar Blue. Sugar, known as "the Charlie Parker of the harmonica and the Jimi Hendrix of the blues harp" blew Russ away and he spent the next three months seeing Sugar whenever he could, but never had the nerve to speak with him.
He moved to Seattle for a period of time, but during a visit home, finally met Sugar and within 2 years, Russ was back in Chicago, learning under Sugar Blue and, eventually, Billy Branch, while working in the television and movie industry.
Russ has become the go-to guy for both John Primer and Lurrie Bell,
who have had Russ on their albums, and out on the road on the stages big and small.
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Russ' Festival Stage experience includes The Chicago Blues Festival, Gloucester Blues Festival and the San Francisco Blues Fest. Touring with Lurrie Bell & John Primer, Russ has had the opportunity to play;
Doheny Blues Fest, Waterfront Blues Fest, Edmonton Blues Fest, Kitchener Blues Fest, Ottawa Blues Fest, Beale Street Music Festival, Curaçao Blue Seas Festival, and Rio Das Ostras in Brazil among others.
MORE THAN A PERFORMANCE
Russ Is Available For Three Harmonica Workshops
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Introduction To The Harmonica
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How To Handle The Harmonica & Understanding It
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Introduction To Blues Scales & Different Positions
WHAT THEY HAVE SAID
LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE - David Whiteis
It's good to hear a contemporary bluesman expanding his - and the music's- scope as imaginatively as Green does
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BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE - Steve Gabe
What Jr. Wells said about Sonny Boy Williamson II can be said about Russ Green: His music will linger in your heart.
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CHICAGO BLUES GUIDE - Rex Bartholomew
Russ Green is a gem of the Chicago blues scene, and he is the whole package: songwriter, singer, and harp man. Green learned well from Branch and Sugar Blue, but he has found his own voice and has a lot of good stuff to say while also being a consummate performer.
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ELMORE MAGAZINE - Jim Hynes
Green has not only made an auspicious debut album, he’s already a formidable triple-threat who
writes, sings, and blows his harp as well as many of Chicago’s storied musicians.
NOTEWORTHY
2019 - Blues Blast Magazine Award Nomination, New Artist Debut Album
2018 - City Soul Selected As Downbeat Magazines Best Albums Of 2018
2018 - City Soul receives Global Music Awards Bronze Medal for Contemporary Blues Album and Lyrics/Songwriting
2018 - Goin’ Down South with Eric Bibb. Was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Contest
Produced Blues Music Award winning CD for B.B. King’s Bluesville personality Big Llou Johnson, They Call Me Big Llou
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