NYC Jazz Saxophonist
Director of JazzLabNY Adult Jazz Workshops and Small Groups

 Russ Nolan

Consistently voted onto DownBeat magazine’s Rising Star Annual Critics Poll, Russ Nolan’s music is often described as High-Energy Modern Jazz that both satisfies the intellect of its musical peers and speaks to everyone on a soulful level. Called a ‘renaissance man’ by those close to him, he has taken his experiences in sports, martial arts, business, after-school program volunteering, music education, and other activities to relate to a wider audience across the US and Canada. His 2016 release of Sanctuary from the Ordinary – Live at Firehouse 12 was voted onto DownBeat’s Best of 2016

Read about Russ’ current recording, Sin Fronteras, in the DownBeat Magazine Feature by Ted Panken here.

                                 

         

Recordings – Download ALL 7 at https://russnolan.bandcamp.com/

Russ is an accomplished and active Salsa dancer in NYC and has used his inspiration on the dance floor to craft his last four Latin and Modern Jazz releases Tell Me (2012) ; Relentless (2014) – featuring Latin Jazz Grammy Nominee Manuel Valera on piano;  Call It What You Want (2015), Sanctuary from the Ordinary – Live at Firehouse 12 (2016), and Sin Fronteras (2020).  Previous recordings include With You In Mind with the Kenny Werner Trio. 

His original compositions draw influences from Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and are infused with Afro-Cuban, Samba, Bossa Nova, Bolero, and Mambo rhythms. Russ’ ability to relate to non-jazz audiences is demonstrated in his jazz treatments of Pop Standards from The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.

JazzLabNY – Adult Jazz Workshops and Small Groups

Russ is also the Director of JazzLabNY, a community where NY Tri-State area adult jazz musicians who make their living outside of music can play and study in a regular, ongoing small group setting. Find your spot with us at www.JazzLabNY.com