Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

June 25, 1928 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

January 11, 2003 in Chicago, IL

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Symphony

 

William Joseph Russo was an American composer, conductor, and jazz musician who was born on June 25, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Italian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father played the mandolin, and his mother was a singer. Russo began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and trombone. Russo attended the Chicago Musical College, where he studied composition and conducting. He also studied jazz with the legendary pianist and composer, Lennie Tristano. After completing his studies, Russo began his career as a jazz musician, playing with various bands in Chicago. In the 1950s, Russo became interested in combining jazz and classical music. He believed that jazz was a legitimate art form that could be elevated by incorporating classical techniques. He began composing works that blended jazz and classical elements, which he called "jazz symphonies." Russo's first jazz symphony, "Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra," was premiered in 1959 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The work was well-received and established Russo as a leading figure in the jazz/classical fusion movement. In 1960, Russo founded the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which became one of the most important jazz orchestras in the United States. The ensemble featured some of the best jazz musicians in Chicago and performed Russo's jazz symphonies as well as other works by contemporary composers. Russo's most famous work is his "Street Music," a jazz opera that premiered in 1964. The opera tells the story of a young musician who struggles to make a living playing jazz on the streets of Chicago. The work features a mix of jazz and classical music and was praised for its innovative use of the two genres. In addition to his jazz symphonies and opera, Russo composed a number of other works, including ballets, film scores, and chamber music. He also wrote several books on music theory and jazz history. Russo was a highly respected conductor and led many orchestras throughout his career. He was the music director of the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble and the London Jazz Orchestra. He also conducted the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Russo's contributions to the world of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1964 and was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jazz Institute of Chicago in 2002. William Joseph Russo passed away on January 11, 2003, at the age of 74. He left behind a legacy of innovative and groundbreaking music that continues to inspire musicians and audiences today.

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