Latest News

Greetings All!

I am presently spending time in the town of Auburn, NY, playing in the band for the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes. A quaint spot along the Fingerlakes, lots of green, rolling hills, historic places and lots of fresh air, this is a nice break from city life.

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Upcoming events:

Wednesday, Sept. 28th, 7-9pm: I'll be performing with my fantastic quintet, Uncommon Knowledge, performing pieces from my Deep Brooklyn Suite, which is a series of musical impressions about Brooklyn. Stylistically, the music features elements of Jazz, Rock, and Brazilian music, and showcases some of New York’s finest musical talent:

Russ Spiegel's "Uncommon Knowledge"
Russ Spiegel - guitar/ comp
Tim Amacost - reeds
Mike Eckroth - piano
Gary Wang - bass
Scott Neuman - drums

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

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In October I'm headed back to Germany to do a workshop and concert with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band as well as a number of other gigs, plus a side trip to Istanbul to visit the birthplace of my father. Here is my present gig itinerary:

Friday, Oct. 14: The Russ Spiegel Trio
Jazzkeller Hanau
Philippsruher Allee 22
63450 Hanau, Germany

06181 259965

www.jazzkeller-hanau.de/

Thursday, Oct. 20: The Sylwia Bialas Group
Vinothek Tiepolo
Hotel Dortmunder Hof/Vinothek Tiepolo/Weinfaß
Innerer Graben 22
D - 97070 Würzburg
www.Vinothektieopolo.de

Monday, Oct. 24: Workshop with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band

Tuesday, Oct 25: Workshop and Concert with the Würzburg Musikhochschule Big Band
Hofstallstraße 6
97070 Würzburg, Germany

0931 32187-0
www.hfm-wuerzburg.de/

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And, as always: Every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

www.ilportobrooklyn.com/

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Big Update!

Hello Friends, Fans, and Family,

Big happenings since the last update!

The past Monday I had the honor and privilege of working with master singer Mr. Tony Bennett as part of his band for the upcoming season premiere of the hit TV show "Blue Bloods" (which also features Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg). Mr. Bennett was gracious and the consumate professional. This acting thing certainly has its perks....

Also on the film/music front: My short film, Das Boots, will be screening at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival as part of the short comedy lineup on Sunday, Aug. 21st at 3pm. But get there early, I will be performing before the show with my jazz trio from 2-3pm. This is all happening at:

St. Francis College Theater
180 Remsen St.
Brooklyn NY 11201
For tickets & info: http://parkslopefilms.com/The_Art_Of_Brooklyn/Welcome.html
Don't forget to check the Das Boots website: www.dasbootsmovie.com

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Our recent gig of the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra at the Zinc Bar was a tremendous success! We had a very nice crowd and I received a request from the club the very next day for a repeat performance. So, the next date of the RSJO again featuring the amazing chromatic harmonica player, Hendrik Meurkens, the wonderful Israeli vocalist Tammy Scheffer will be:

Wednesday, Aug. 31st 7-9pm (one set only)
Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Rob Wilkerson, Justin Wood, Alejandro Aviles, Jake Saslow, Frank Basile
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, David Smith, Duane Eubanks
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Andy Hunter, Matthew McDonald, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm:Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Eric Halvorson (drums); Todd Isler (perc)
Featuring Special Guests Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and vocalist Tammy Scheffer.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

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Don't forget: This and every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965

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Mid-September I'm off to New York's Finger Lakes to the town of Auburn to play in the pit band for the musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes. More info here:

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
17 William Street
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 255-1305
www.merry-go-round.com‎

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And finally - in October I'm headed back to Germany to do a workshop and concert with the Wurzburg Musikhochschule Big Band as well as a number of other gigs. I'm delighted as always to return to my second homeland. It should be a blast!!!

Keep Swinging!
Russ

Upcoming Concert of the RSJO - Latin Time!

On Wednesday, July 27th, the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra will be back performing live at the Zinc Bar in Manhattan, featuring the amazing chromatic harmonica player, Hendrik Meurkens, the wonderful Israeli vocalist Tammy Scheffer, along with jazz greats Duane Eubanks, Tim Armacost and Mike Eckroth, among many others. This one-set performance begins at 7pm and costs only $10.

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Justin Wood, Craig Yaremko, Tim Armacost, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Andy Gravish, Duane Eubanks
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Nick Finzer, Matthew McDonald, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm:Mike Eckroth (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neuman (drums); Todd Isler (perc)
Featuring Special Guests Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica and vocalist Tammy Scheffer.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

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This and every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

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Also - as mentioned in my last post:

My short film, "Das Boots" was recently accepted into the Art of Brooklyn Festival and will be shown August 21st. More info coming. Here are some links:

www.dasbootsmovie.com
www.theartofbrooklyn.com

I was recently contracted to compose the music for Anand Kamalakar's documentary, "Building Bridges." The story follows students from Beacon High School in Manhattan as they raise money and then travel to India to perform a blend of classical Indian and Western dance. The 28 students and their minders experience "globalization firsthand" as they learn the vast differences and similarities between these two cultures. On June 30 I went into the studio to record the soundtrack with some very capable musicians. The film should be completed in the next few weeks. I will post when I hear about a screening.

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Update - July 1, 2011

Greetings All,

Been awhile since I added anything to this here blog. Here's the latest:

My short film, "Das Boots" was recently accepted into the Art of Brooklyn Festival and will be shown August 21st. More info coming. Here are some links:

www.dasbootsmovie.com
www.theartofbrooklyn.com

Also on the film front: I was recently contracted to compose the music for Anand Kamalakar's documentary, "Building Bridges." The story follows students from Beacon High School in Manhattan as they raise money and then travel to India to perform a blend of classical Indian and Western dance. The 28 students and their minders experience "globalization firsthand" as they learn the vast differences and similarities between these two cultures. On June 30 I went into the studio to record the soundtrack with some very capable musicians and am now in the process of mixing the music.

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Upcoming Gigs:

On Wednesday, July 27th, the Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra will be back performing live at the Zinc Bar in Manhattan, featuring the amazing chromatic harmonica player, Hendrik Meurkens. This one-set performance begins at 7pm and costs only $10.

The RSJO is:
Reeds: Justin Wood, Craig Yaremko, Tim Armacost, Dave Noland, Paul Nedzela
Trumpets: Colin Brigstocke, James Smith, Andy Gravish, Duane Eubanks
Trombones: Sara Jacovino, Alex Asher, Matthew McDonald, Brandon Moodie
Rhythm: Art Hirahara (piano); Yoshi Waki (bass); Scott Neuman (drums)
Featuring Special Guest Hendrik Meurkens on chromatic harmonica.
Russ Spiegel is the composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street (btw Thompson & Sullivan)
Greenwich Village New York NY 10012
tel. 212-477-ZINC (9462)
www.zincbar.com

Also - This and every Friday and Saturday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

Keep Swinging!
Russ

Update from Germany

It's not always easy keeping up with one's blog and I've been neglectful as of late. My trip out to North Carolina was a blast - Jim Ketch is an inspired, and inspiring head of the jazz department over at UNC Chapel Hill and I treasured the opportunity to work with him and his students on a concert of my big band music. While there, I also taught a Jazz Guitar Master Class under the auspices of Billy Stewart and spent an hour talking about some of my arranging and composing techniques with the students of Stephen Anderson's class. I also ran into Branford Marsalis and had an opportunity to introduce myself and say hello.

This Wednesday I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany and on Thursday performed in trio in Wurzburg and last night (Friday) in Hanau. It's been amazing being back where I lived for almost 20 years. I've been catching up with old friends, making some new ones, and basically enjoying the change of pace. I'm off to Nuremberg on Monday where I will be hanging out for a week of rest and relaxation - and a gig or two. It's been a busy first half of the year. Going to try to enjoy some down time before I return to the New York grind May 16th.

Keep swinging,
Russ

Latest News: Gig Update

Hello Friends and Music Lovers,

As mentioned in my previous post I am very happy to mention that this Sunday I will be flying down to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where I will be an Aebersold Guest Artist. The university big band will be performing a concert of my big band music with yours truly as Special Guest and I will also be giving master classes in Jazz Guitar and Jazz Composition and Arranging as well as working with the jazz ensembles there.

The first two weeks of May I will also be taking a trip back to my second homeland - Germany - where I will be performing at the Hanau Jazzkeller on May 6th, with hopefully more to follow.

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Upcoming Gigs:

Thursday, April 14th, 6:30-8:30pm - it's "Attack of the Russes" as I will be playing a private event in duo with saxophonist Russ Nolan in Manhattan. Wish you all could be there.

This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

NEW!!! Saturday, April 16th, April 30th, May 21st & May 28th, 1-4pm: I'll be playing a jazz brunch with my trio at a wonderful new cafe in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, called Milk & Roses. Specializing in paninis, wonderful coffee, not to mention a nice selection of beer & wine, this cozy spot is a great place to recover from your Friday night debauches.
Milk & Roses
1110 Manhattan Avenue
NY 11222-1034
(718) 389-0160

Also, this Saturday, April 16th, 8-11pm I'll be performing with vocalist Nikita Washington at the upscale L'Escale restaurant in Greenwich, Ct.
L'Escale
500 Steamboat Rd
Greenwich CT
www.lescalerestaurant.com

Tuesday, April 19th, 7:30pm: I will be performing a concert of my music with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Jazz Band as part of the Aebersold Guest Artist Series.
Hill Hall Auditorium
145 E Cameron Ave
Chapel Hill
North Carolina 27514

Keep Swinging,
Russ

Exciting News!

Hey Friends and Music Lovers,

I have neglected to mention in my previous posts that April 17-20th I will be flown down to the University of Chapel Hill, North Carolina where I will be an Aebersold Guest Artist. The university big band will be performing a concert of my big band music with yours truly as Special Guest and I will also be giving master classes in Jazz Guitar and Jazz Composition and Arranging as well as working with the jazz ensembles there. It is a real honor and I feel humbled (but not too much!) before my task.

A further positive development is I recently worked with director David Capurso on his short film, "I am Julia" scoring the music for this movie. He and his business partner John Ramaine have landed financing for a feature film and have asked me to provide the score music. As a matter of fact, one of my big band pieces, "Undertow" has not only been chosen as the theme song, but has become the inspiration for the title of the movie, which will also be called, "Undertow." I am very flattered, as you can imagine.

As to travel - the first two weeks of May I will also be taking a trip back to my second homeland - Germany - where I will be performing at the Hanau Jazzkeller on May 6th, with hopefully more to follow.

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Upcoming Gigs:

Tuesday, April 5th, 8:30pm-12:30am: I'll be appearing with my buddy for many years, the fantastic alto saxophonist Derrick James in quartet at the venerable Showman's up in Harlem. Get ready for some good time swinging organ jazz.
Showman's
375 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
(212) 864-8941

This and every Friday evening 7:30-10:30pm I am playing dinner jazz duo with bassist Kevin Thomas at:
Il Porto Pizzeria Restaurant
37 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 624-2965
ilportobrooklyn.com/

Tuesday, April 19th, 7:30pm: I will be performing a concert of my music with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Jazz Band as part of the Aebersold Guest Artist Series.
Hill Hall Auditorium
145 E Cameron Ave
Chapel Hill
North Carolina 27514