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Profile: Band Leader and Trumpeter Eddie Russell

Eddie Russell blows a sweet sound on his trumpet in Christiansted.Eddie Russell started his first band, Eddie and the Playboys, back in 1964, when he was only 15 years old. Now, almost five decades later, the well-known local trumpeter and band leader is still passionate about music and starting new ventures.

“The beauty isn’t over. There’s always something more to go for and work at,” Russell said. “I have the desire to contribute something of worth. My mission is to bring the community together through music.”

Russell and the six members of his latest band, The Eddie Russell Band, will bring the community together on the waterfront in Christiansted, playing cool jazz in the gazebo on the National Park Service grounds next to Fort Christiansvaern in the “Jazz in the Park” spring concert series. The first of three, free, two-hour concerts will begin at 5 p.m. Friday. Other concerts in the series will be May 31 and June 28.

“This is a nice place for people to enjoy an evening with friends and relax with jazz in the park,” Russell said at a recent interview in the park.

Looking cool in his shades, Russell stood on the bandstand and played a few notes. The sweet sounds drifted across the lawn and people eating lunch at the park applauded him. He flashed a big smile, saying it sounded nice and loud and clear.

Russell, was born on St. Croix. At the age of 10, he said, he picked up the ukulele and found it fun to play. He had the opportunity to play trumpet in grade school at St. Patrick’s School. The mother superior taught students to read music, and local men who had been in military bands taught the children how to play. He played trumpet in the Archie Thomas Band and the Wesley Thomas Combo when he was 14. He says many nights he was out after curfew.

After graduating from the old Christiansted High School in 1965, he went to New York to test out the waters of the music scene. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in music from the City College of New York and his master’s in fine arts from Queens College. He pursued his dream of a career in music, working as a freelance musician in New York, Georgia and St. Thomas, playing backup for some of the legends in jazz music.

He has played with Wynton Marsalis, the Blues Busters, Hopeton Lewis, "The Mighty Sparrow" and Sam & Dave, among others. He has done tours to Europe and jazz cruises. He can be heard on Ron Carter’s "Mr. Bow Tie" CD. He said the highlight of his career was playing a tribute to Jimmy Heath in New York.

Russell said he realized he needed to settle down in stable employment, so he came back to St. Croix in 1977 and started his teaching career at Eulalie Rivera Elementary School and then Juanita Gardine Elementary School. He started bands in both schools.

Many students find music is a good motivator for school, he said.

“They see school isn’t a complete drag,” Russell said. “School can be fun when they learn to play, understand and appreciate music.”

He retired from teaching in 2010.

He has been the featured band for St. Croix shows such as the 2008 Blue Bay Jazz Fest and events on St Thomas and St. John. Russell plays to standing-room-only crowds at the Blue Moon Cafe in Frederiksted, Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino, Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted, Jazz Vespers at Kingshill Church, the Buccaneer Resort and more.
"I just love the sound of horns and the feeling that reaches deep into your soul,” Gayle Vanasse, a local fan said. “Eddie Russell’s music has that power to transport those on the receiving end to another place."

He has played backup on around 20 CDs and he has produced five Eddie Russell
Live CDs. His CDs can be purchased at Riddims music store in Christiansted. He was honored in the V.I. Legislature in 2011 for his outstanding contributions to the community in the field of music.

Russell’s last band was The Eddie Russell Quelbe Jazz Band. His brother, former senator Ronald Russell, a jazz guitarist, occasionally plays with the band.
He said he still wants to perform at venues in the Caribbean and at traditional jazz festivals, and is putting together some of his new compositions to record. He added he now plays keyboard and is practicing his vocals.

“I still want to go on tour and perform what I’ve written,” Russell said. “We all have a purpose in life. My purpose is to give enjoyment and happiness in a meaningful contribution of music. Music is a fascinating and wonderful thing.”

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