Steve's Music Interests

Steve F. Russell, PhD, PE
www.steverussellweb.com

Welcome to my Music Interests page. This is a brief summary of my music interests. Music has been a hobby, an avocation, and a side job for me, beginning as a sophomore in high School all kind of bands. I like most every kind of music but my favorite kind of music is Traditional Jazz (1915-1930). My instruments are (in order of competence): Bb Trumpet, Baritone, Trombone, Eb Trumpet. I also taught myself to compose and arrange music using and electric keyboard (I don't play it) and computer (GenieSoft - Score Writer 4).

NOTE: Some videos may be slow to download

SELECTED AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS GROUPED BY BANDS
BAND	DATES	DESCRIPTION
Basin Street Stompers	2011-1013
Dusty Chords Jazz Band	2009-2014
Adult Traditional Jazz Camp	2006-2014
Dixie Slicks Dixieland Band
High Society Big Band
CJC Big Band		Des Moines, Iowa Community Jazz Center Big Band
Johnston Station Jazz Band
King Radio Dixieland Band	1983-1984
Rhythm Rompers	1961-1962

SELECTED AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS OF MY MUSIC You will need to be able to play MP3 and MP4 files from your web browser, otherwise you may get only the audio from a video file, or else your browser may offer a file download These files are available at both sites, Archive.org and Steverussellweb.com
TITLE and (LINKS)	DATE	DESCRIPTION
Searching for Audio Recording	1959 AUDIO	BILL PAGE DIXIELAND BAND (PHOTO-01) Steve F. Russell, Trumpet Bill Page was a reed specialist with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra
No Known Recordings	1959	BLUE NOTES DANCE BAND (PHOTO-01)
Tiger Rag (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1961 AUDIO	RHYTHM ROMPERS (PHOTO-01) High School Dixieland Band at White Sulphur Springs, Montana Musicians: Sue Miksch, Piano; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet; Mike Askins, Clarinet; Rick Buckingham, Sax; Dirk Niewoehner, Trombone; Ray Ballentyne, Drums Audio is compromised by acoustic echo and record scratches
Strip Polka (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1961 AUDIO	RHYTHM ROMPERS (PHOTO) High School Dixieland Band at White Sulphur Springs, Montana Musicians: Sue Miksch, Piano; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet; Mike Askins, Clarinet; Rick Buckingham, Sax; Dirk Niewoehner, Trombone; Ray Ballentyne, Drums Audio is compromised by acoustic echo and record scratches
Jada (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1961 AUDIO	RHYTHM ROMPERS (PHOTO) High School Dixieland Band at White Sulphur Springs, Montana Musicians: Sue Miksch, Piano; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet; Mike Askins, Clarinet; Rick Buckingham, Sax; Dirk Niewoehner, Trombone; Ray Ballentyne, Drums Audio is compromised by acoustic echo and record scratches
Wabash Blues (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1961 AUDIO	RHYTHM ROMPERS (PHOTO) High School Dixieland Band at White Sulphur Springs, Montana Musicians: Sue Miksch, Piano; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet; Mike Askins, Clarinet; Rick Buckingham, Sax; Dirk Niewoehner, Trombone; Ray Ballentyne, Drums Audio is compromised by acoustic echo and record scratches
Bluin' The Blues (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1961 AUDIO	RHYTHM ROMPERS (PHOTO) High School Dixieland Band at White Sulphur Springs, Montana Musicians: Sue Miksch, Piano; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet; Mike Askins, Clarinet; Rick Buckingham, Sax; Dirk Niewoehner, Trombone; Ray Ballentyne, Drums Audio is compromised by acoustic echo and record scratches
Riverboat Ramble (Red Mcleod) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1984 AUDIO	KING RADIO DIXIELAND BAND (PHOTO-01)
Hesitation Stomp (Red Mcleod) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1984 AUDIO	KING RADIO DIXIELAND BAND (PHOTO-02)
Preservation Hall Blues (Red Mcleod) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	1984 AUDIO	KING RADIO DIXIELAND BAND (PHOTO-03)
No Known Recordings	1989	TARNISHED BRASS (PHOTO-01) Brass Quintet, Ames, Iowa I played 2nd trumpet. John Verkade with founder and leader and played 1st trumpet, Pam Schwab played French Horn, I cannot remember the others.
	2003 AUDIO	DIXIE SLICKS (PHOTO-01)
Russell-Winbush Wedding Dixie Slicks Dixieland Band (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2006 VIDEO	DIXIE SLICKS (PHOTO-02) The "Slicks" played for the Russell-Winbush Wedding. Miranda Russell is my daughter. I had played several years with the band but was not playing at that time. The band wanted me to sit in for a couple of tunes and this is the video from the wedding. At the time, Richard Moler was playing trumpet with them.
Sugar Blues (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2005 VIDEO	HIGH SOCIETY BIG BAND (PHOTO-01) Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa Solo: Steve F. Russell
In The Mood (Glen Miller) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2005 VIDEO	HIGH SOCIETY BIG BAND (PHOTO-02) Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa Solo: Steve F. Russell
Somewhere There's Music (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2007 VIDEO	JOHNSTON STATION JAZZ BAND Playing for a Valentines' Day dance at a retirement home, Des Moines, Iowa
Bandstand Boogie (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	JOHNSTON STATION JAZZ BAND First Baptist Church, Johnston, November 10, 2010
Sweet Baby Doll (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2009 AUDIO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2009 Jam Session, Steve F. Russell, Trumpet
True (You Don't Love Me) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	DUSTY CHORDS JAZZ BAND (PHOTO-01) True, You Don't Love Me (1935) Louis A. Cottress, Don Albert, and LLoyd Glenn Recorded by the Dusty Chords Jazz Band, Ames, Iowa, Recorded on October 25, 2010, "At the Parlor" Slater, Iowa. Vocals: Lisa Merritt; Guitar: Steve Hurst; Bass: Jene Hughes; Reeds: Sharon Brewer; Trumpet: Steve F. Russell
True (You Don't Love Me) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 This is one of the very few videos I made of all the groups I played with at San Diego. This is the one and only time we played together. Some of us knew each other from other "made up" bands Some of the videos are just discussions with the instructor The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Drums - Sue Fisher; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
True (You Don't Love Me) (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 VIDEO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 This is one of the very few videos I made of all the groups I played with at San Diego. This is the one and only time we played together. Some of us knew each other from other "made up" bands Some of the videos are just discussions with the instructor The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Drums - Sue Fisher; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Bye and Bye (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Bye and Bye (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 VIDEO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Hindustan (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Hindustan (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 VIDEO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Terrible Blues (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Terrible Blues (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 VIDEO	ADULT TRADITIONAL JAZZ CAMP 2010 San Diego Traditional Jazz Camp 2010, San Diego, CA: Jan14-17, 2010, Lafayette Hotel Baton Rouge Room (John Royen, Instructor) 7:30pm Sat, Jan 16, 2010 The Musicians: Bass - Ed Adams; Banjo - Bryan Person; Clarinet - J. P. Balmat; Sue Fisher, Drume; Trombone - Blythe Polreis; Trumpet - Steve F. Russell; Piano - Bob Murphy
Once in a While (Archive.org) (Steverussellweb.com)	2010 AUDIO	DUSTY CHORDS JAZZ BAND (PHOTO-01) Once In A While (1937) Words by Bud Green, Music by Michael Edwards The music was arranged by Steve F. Russell with same melody but new chords that convey the full feeling of the tune. Recorded by the Dusty Chords Jazz Band, Ames, Iowa Recorded on October 25, 2010, "At the Parlor" in Slater, Iowa. Musicians: Steve Hurst Guitar; Lisa Merritt, Vocal; Gene Hughes, Bass; Sharon Brewer, Sax; Steve F. Russell, Trumpet. # Arranged by Steve F. Russell

My Favorite Types of Music and Artists I love most all kinds of music and various musical styles. Here is a partial list.
Bands or Artists	Description
Lewis Armstrong	Armstrong's life spanned several decades of music style changes, and he adapted to the changes better than any other artist I know -- from his days as 2nd trumpet to Joe "King" Oliver to his most famous hits, "Its a Wonderful World" and "Hello Dolly."
Origional Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB)	First recording (1917) of Dixieland "Jass" style
Traditional New Orleans Jazz	ARTISTS: Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong
Rock and Roll	ARTISTS: Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley,
Pops, Standards, Jazz QUARTET	"Dusty Chords" was a quartet I formed in 2009, of great central Iowa Musicians. We played in venues from St. Paul to Des Moines and performed all types of instrumental and vocal music. We disbanded in 2014. Link: Dusty Chords Jazz Band
ABBA	This musical group first grabbed my attention when I bought their album "Super Trooper" -- the arrangements, the perfect pitch, the precise articulation, the perfect blend of volumes. They had it all, not to mention the very attractive women. In about 1986, I met a guy at Iowa State that was part of the "underground" music fans of ABBA. He give me a DVD of many of their performances that were not released to the public. My musical colleagues derided me for liking "teeny bopper" and "bubble gum" music, but time has proven them very wrong.
Old Country Western	ARTISTS: Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Sons of the Pioneers, Charlie Pride, Statler Brothers, David Allen Cole, Crystal Gayle, Tom T. Hall, Glen Campbell, Kitty Wells, John Denver, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Roger Miller, Lynn Anderson, Freddy Fender, ... Links: 70 Best Classic Country Music, Best Classic Country
Brass Quintet	ARTISTS: Canadian Brass
Do-Wop
Marches	Stars and Stripes Forever,
Church Hymns	Standing on the Promises,

Links to Bands I have Played With

Johnston Station Jazz Band (Facebook) (MySpace)
High Society Big Band
Des Moines CJC Big Band
Urbandale Adult Community Band, Swing Band

Click here for the link to my YouTube Music Collection
Click here for the link to My Favorite Music

I've played Bb Trumpet (mouthpiece = Bach 5C), and/or Baritone TC, and/or Trombone, in the following bands:
High School and Grade School, Stevensville, Montana (Trumpet)
Blue Notes, Dance band combo, Stevensville, Montana (Trumpet)
Dixieland band, White Sulphur Springs, Montana (Trumpet)
Rhythm Rompers Dance band combo, White Sulphur Springs, Montana (Trumpet)
Montana Allstate Band, 1962 (1st Trumpet)
Montana State University - Symphonic Band, Bozeman Montana (Trombone)
Montana State University - Bobcat Marching Band, Bozeman Montana (Trumpet)
Montana State University - Basketball Pep Band, Bozeman Montana (1st Trumpet)
Montana State University - ROTC Marching Band, Bozeman Montana (1st Trumpet)
King Radio Dixieland Band, Olathe, Kansas (Trumpet)
Olathe Civic Band, Olathe, Kansas (Trumpet)
Ballard Community Band, Huxley, Iowa (Trumpet, Baritone TC, Trombone)
High Society Big Band (40s Swing), Central Iowa (1st Trumpet)
Tranished Brass Quintet, Ames, Iowa (2nd Trumpet)
Dixie Slicks Dixieland Band, Ames, Iowa (Trumpet)
"My Fair Lady" pit orchestra, lead, Nevada, Iowa (1st Trumpet)
Heart of Iowa Senior Band, Ames, Iowa (1st Trumpet, Baritone TC, Trombone)
Heartland Jazz Band, Ames, Iowa (Leader & Trumpet)
Story City Community Band, Story City, Iowa (1st Trumpet)
Johnson Station Jazz Band, Johnston, Iowa (Trombone, 1st Trumpet)
Fly Boys Polka Band, Story City, Iowa (1st Trumpet)
Heartland Jazz Jam, Ames, Iowa, (Leader, Trumpet, Baritone TC, Trombone)
Community Jazz Center Big Band, Des Moines, Iowa (3rd Trumpet)
West Des Moines Community Band, West Des Moines, Iowa (Trumpet)
Cafe Northwest Jazz Jam (Leader, Trumpet)
Urbandale Community Adult Band (1st Trumpet)
Urbandale Swing Band (1st Trumpet)
Traditional Jazz Workshop, San Diego, California (Trumpet, 10 years)
Ames Euphonium Choir, Ames, Iowa (1st Baritone TC)
Dusty Chords Jazz Band, Ames, Iowa (Leader, Trumpet)
Basin Street Stompers Trad Jazz Band, Ames, Iowa (Leader, Trumpet)
Traditional Jazz Workshop, New Orleans, LA (Trumpet)

My music interests are:

Traditional Jazz - Tunes from the early days of jazz up to 1945. Players I really like are Joe Oliver (Trumpet), Louis Armstrong (Trumpet), Kid Ory (Trombone), Big Jim Robinson (Trombone), Johnny Dodds (Clarinet). Songs that I like are: It Had to be You, Ain't Misbehavin', Black and Blue, Basin Street Blues, Careless Love, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, Five Foot Two, Frankie & Johnny, High Society, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, I'm Confessin', In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town, Just a Closer Walk, Midnight in Moscow, Muskcat Ramble, My Blue Heaven, Perdido Street Blues (Dodds), Rosetta, .... (you get the picture). I was fortunate to hear some of the Preservation Hall bands live and made three trips to New Orleans and got to the old garage they called Preservation Hall. My first exposure to early jazz was a remake album of the Origional Dixieland Jazz Band. The songs that have made the biggest impression on my are Black and Blue and Perdido Street Blues with Dodds on clarinet. I might have every album made by the Dukes of Dixieland. In recent years, I've been attending a Traditional Jazz Workshop in San Diego every January.
1950s Jazz (bebop) - I like the earlier "modern" jazz when the players were experimenting with the "new" form of music. The competition to see how many notes could be played per measure that occured later on is not of interest to me.
1950s Be-Bop vocal groups
Dance combo (1920s-1940s) - I did a lot of playing for dances, when in high school, using the old Combo Orks series of books. We got the basic ideas for the tunes out of these books and then used them basically as lead sheets and improvised.
Big Band Swing - Any of the stuff by Miller, the Dorseys, etc. I like the original arrangements best but have learned to tolerate some of the jazz pack arrangements by the Hal Leonard Company. Remarkably, this dance music still has a modest demand among the older crowd.
Show Tunes (1920s-1960s) - Good or original arrangements are really fun to play and hear. The medly arrangements for high school bands are only tolerable.
Concert Band - Love this stuff. Good arrangements are great to play.
Brass Quintet - I really like to play this but my jazz playing and slap tongue style are hard to overcome when I need to sound like an amateur version of the Canadian Brass
Polka - Have really only started learning to play this style.
Old Country - I can play in F, C, G, D, A, and E but like most brass players, my comfort zone is flats! Improv is pretty easy because of the simple, repetitive structure of the cords so that is gratifying. I also like to listen to the music
Blues - When I am in the right mood, it doesn't get any better than 12-bar blues to play or listen. Made a trip to Memphis in 2008 to play on Beale Street and hear the bands. Was disappointed to learn that the old blues was very scarce there now. Played on the street with Rudy Williams (he has a star an the sidewalk!) and heard a jazz concert by the Memphis Jazz Orchestra. Learned the history of W. C. Handy and got inspired to do some writing and arranging.
Bluegrass - Listen only. I hear some jazz influence in bluegrass that I really like.

I've recently started arranging old tunes for traditional jazz and for combo playing. The software is Score Writer 4 by GenieSoft. So far so good!

JAZZ LINKS

Red Hot Jazz - A great site for early jazz. Includes history, musicians, and playable tunes
Mississippi Rag - Well-established online news about traditional jazz and ragtime
American's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society AFCDJS - San Diego, CA
Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society
Jazz Roots - A developing web site in June 2009
Jazz Styles - Traditional Jazz - Educational site

Welcome to my Music Interests page. This is a brief summary of my music hobbies/avocations. For questions, comments, suggestions, contact:

Author: Steve F. Russell / sfr@iastate.edu
Created: Sun, Apr 9, 1995
Last Updated: Tue, Mar 5, 2013

You have reached the end. Thanks for visiting me.

Go Back to the Main Page