Luis Russel
Luis Carl Russell (August 5, 1902 – December 11, 1963) was a pioneering jazz pianist, orchestra leader, composer, and arranger from Careening Cay, near Bocas del Toro, Panama. Born into a family of African-Caribbean ancestry, Russell was taught music by his father, a music teacher, and learned to play the guitar, piano, and violin. By 1917, he was playing professionally, accompanying silent films and performing at a casino in Colón, Panama.
In 1919, Russell moved to the United States after winning $3,000 in a lottery, settling in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked as a pianist before moving to Chicago in 1925, where he collaborated with Doc Cook and King Oliver. Eventually, he moved to New York City, where he formed his own band. By 1929, Russell's band was one of the leading jazz groups in the city, featuring musicians such as trumpeter Red Allen, trombonist J. C. Higginbotham, and alto saxophonist Albert Nicholas.
In 1935, Louis Armstrong took over Russell's band, which then served as Armstrong's backup band for eight years, with Russell as the musical director. After leading a new band from 1943 to 1948, Russell retired from music and opened a notions shop, occasionally performing and teaching music. He visited Panama in 1959 to give a piano recital of classical music. Luis Russell passed away in New York City at the age of 61. His legacy continues through his daughter, Catherine Russell, a jazz singer.
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