As you may have already heard, the great guitarist Russell Malone died last Friday, August 23^rd, in Japan, while on tour with bassist Ron Carter and pianist Donald Vega. His premature death at 60, from a massive heart attack, has sent shock waves through the jazz community. Russell was admired widely not only for his superb musical ability but also because of his kindness, humor and friendship towards everyone who had the good fortune to know or work with him.

In Metuchen, Russell’s quartet was scheduled to appear on the evening of September 28^th, as the lead artist in The Middlesex County Jazz Festival – Metuchen.   We are now planning to make that event a tribute to his memory. His accompanying trio made up of Rick Germanson on piano, bassist Vince Du Pont and drummer Neal Smith will perform with guitarist Mark Whitfield, who knew Russell for 40 years.

We hope you will keep the evening of September 28 in your plans. Together we can make the event a fitting remembrance of Russell and the wonderful legacy of music he has left us, albeit much too soon.

Russell Malone’s biography:

Russell Malone is one of the signature guitar players of his generation.  The leader of ten albums since 1992, Malone is as well-known on the international circuit for helming a world- class quartet and trio as he is for his long-standing participation in Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio, and his recent consequential contribution to the musical production of the likes of Sonny Rollins and Dianne Reeves, who recruited Malone for his singular tone, refined listening skills, limitless chops and efflorescent imagination.

In all these circumstances, Malone addresses the tradition on its own terms, reflecting the vocabularies and syntax of such heroes as Charlie Christian, Chet Atkins, George Van Eps, Johnny Smith, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino and George Benson into an argot entirely his own.  A master of all tempos, a relentless swinger, he spins his stories – in idioms ranging from the urban and downhome blues, country, gospel, various corners of the American Songbook, and hardcore jazz – with a soulful, instantly recognizable instrumental voice and seasons them with sophisticated harmonies that are never “too hip for the room.”

“I take pride on being open enough to play with anybody,” says Malone, citing encounters with such diverse artists as B.B. King, Arethra Franklin, Gladys Knight, among others.

“Lyricism remains a vital part of Malone’s music, and he certainly has achieved a unique guitar voice in jazz’s mainstream.  His powerful technique erupts when he wants it to, while his warm and mellow ballad material rests comfortably on yearning ears.”  Jim Santella, All About Jazz.

“Russell Malone has the storytelling skills of a great singer, perhaps a legacy of his many years with Harry Connick, Jr and Diana Krall”—The Times (UK)

Mark Whitfield’s biography:

Mark Whitfield graduated from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, the world’s foremost institution for the study of Jazz and modern American music in the spring of 1987. Shortly thereafter, he returned to his native New York to embark on a career as a Jazz Guitarist that afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with legendary artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Carmen McRae, Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry, Shirley Horn, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine and his greatest teacher and mentor George Benson. In 1990 the New York Times dubbed Whitfield “The Best Young Guitarist in the Business”. Later that year, Warner Bros. released his debut album “The Marksman”. The success of his debut release led to a recording career that has produced a total of 14 solo recordings and a myriad of collaborative efforts with some of the most important artists in recent years; Sting, Steven Tyler, D’Angelo, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Chris Botti, Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton. In addition to “The Marksman,”  other recordings include:  “Take the Ride, “Patrice,” “Soul Conversation” and many others. Mark Whitfield is preparing to release a new trio recording with Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums and the incomparable Robert Hurst on bass.  The Mark Whitfield Family Band includes his talented sons: Mark Whitfield Jr., drummer and Davis Whitfield, pianist.