- Jazz guitarist.
- Mother of singer Catherine Russell.
- Her father was a musician with the band of James Reese Europe.
- Upon graduating from the Juilliard School of Music in 1946, she began her professional career as a singer and guitarist with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
- Her father was a horn player who graduated from Juilliard the year she was born. She attended Juilliard for five years, changing her major from piano to composition. In 1956, she received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.
- After graduating from Juilliard in 1946, she joined the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, on rhythm guitar and vocals. When she married band-leader Luis Russell, who had helped organize a group led by Louis Armstrong, she insisted that she continue performing.
- She worked as a session musician, playing an electric Fender bass. She sang classical choral works, as well as backup on recordings for Patti Page, Bobby Darin, and others. She sang and played bass with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She also performed with big bands led by Sy Oliver and Skitch Henderson.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content