William Russell was, along with his friends John Cage, Henry Cowell and Lou Harrison, one of the seminal figures in modern percussion music. Russell composed his landmark percussion during the 1930s, eventually abandoning composition to work in jazz and settle in New Orleans. He was the first composer in the western tradition to integrate African, Caribbean and Asian instruments along with found objects and the influence of jazz into his work, all the while maintaining a distinctly exuberant “American” sound.

Cage was so fond of Russell and his music that he kept the idea of reviving Russell’s neglected music alive. He offered assistance towards a retrospective concert of Russell’s complete works in New York in 1990, a gala event attended by many leading figures in new music and jazz. Russell came to New York to work with Essential Music in the preparation of these works; some of which had their world premiere there, others had not been heard in almost 50 years.

Subsequently, Essential Music toured the U.S. and Europe with Russell’s works to great acclaim. This CD marks the first complete recording of Russell’s joyful compositions for percussion ensemble.

“…a captivating slice of American-music history.” Art Lange, Classical Pulse!
“…a wonderfully noisy finish to a quiet career, a proper New Orleans send-off for a composer who blurred the boundaries between new music and jazz.” Damon Krukowski, Fanfare
“…everyone interested in American avant-garde history needs this” Kyle Gann, The Village Voice
“The members of Essential Music are great players, with a unique expertise in this repertoire.” Elliot S. Hurwitt, Fanfare

Prelude, Chorale and Fugue (1932, revised 1985) 6:12
Four Dance Movements (1933, revised 1990) 6:48
Three Cuban Pieces (1935) 3:20
Trumpet Concerto (1937, revised 1990) 6:06
Chicago Sketches (1940) 3:34
March Suite (1936, revised 1984) 5:38
Ogou Badagri (1933) 17:03, a ballet based on the Voodoo Rites of Haiti
Made in America (1936, revised 1990) 2:48
All first recordings except Three Cuban Pieces

Essential Music, John Kennedy and Charles Wood artistic directors
Laurie Frink, trumpet