Russell Malone

Accompanying Jimmy Smith, Ray Brown, Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall, Russell Malone has built a reputation as a jazz guitarist known for his agile playing and rich sound. Born in Albany, Georgia, on November 8, 1963, he began playing guitar at the age of four and had his first musical experiences in church, listening to records by Sam Cooke and The Dixie Hummingbirds. Later, he was greatly influenced by George Benson, whom he saw playing on television with Benny Goodman. He taught himself to play largely, but is quick to acknowledge the influence and inspiration of the many musicians and groups he has played with over the years, including Benny Green, with whom he formed a successful duo and recorded throughout the 1990s including the album Bluebird (2004), as well as Ron Carter, Sonny Rollins and Ray Brown. His versatility - including his ability to move from searing blues to classic swing or decorative sensibility - has made him the accompanist of choice for many leading jazz musicians, including Kenny Barron, Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis, while also leading his own exciting groups, working in a quartet with drummer Willie Jones, bassist Gerald Cannon and pianist Rick Germanson. He was also a prolific recording artist, widely admired for albums such as Russell Malone (1992), Black Butterfly (1993), Sweet Georgia Peach (1998), Look Who's Here (2000), Heartstrings (2001), Playground (2004), and Time for the Dancers (2017). While on tour with Ron Carter and Donald Vega, Russell Malone died suddenly of a heart attack in Tokyo on August 23, 2024. He was 60 years old.