Jazz at the Fort, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, presents George W. Russell Jr. and Company

About George W. Russell Jr.

Prior to becoming chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department, George W. Russell Jr. served as a professor of harmony and piano. He has been awarded the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching, along with the Curriculum Development Award for the Writing Division. He has also been recognized with the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award. Russell’s motto is, “I would rather inspire than require.” He is known as a source of encouragement and inspiration to anyone who crosses paths with him.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Russell is a performer, composer, and educator. He began taking piano lessons when he was 7 years old. Along with studying formally, he had the fortune of growing up playing at his local church. There was no written music at church, so he was given the opportunity to develop his ear.

As he continued studying music in college, Russell discovered jazz and the harmonies that are used in jazz. It was then that he began to understand, from a theoretical viewpoint, what exactly he was playing, both in church and in his classical repertoire. In that period of time, his unique fusion of gospel and jazz began to form. His performances range from solo piano to a groove-oriented jazz trio to a soulful, fresh-sounding larger ensemble that arouses the listener's intellect and, most importantly, touches their soul. His playing is filled with passion, fire, soul, and spirit.

Fixit Clinics are free workshops where people bring broken stuff—from bikes to blenders to blazers—and volunteer coaches share their tools and know-how to help troubleshoot and (hopefully) repair items. These meet-ups build hands-on skills, confidence, community, and a culture of reuse and repair; they are family-friendly and open to all. The City of Boston Environment Department is partnering with Boston Building Resources to host one of these events. 

REGISTER YOUR ITEM

VOLUNTEER TO COACH OR OBSERVE

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• A broken gadget, small appliance, computer, toy, textile good, or other item

• A description of what’s wrong and anything you’ve tried to fix it

• Useful tools and parts, if you have them

• A desire to learn and share your knowledge!