The Frank Russell Band Pays Tribute to Miles Davis, 4/27

Jazz it up this April with The Frank Russell Band and special guests as they salute jazz master impresario MiLes Davis in concert: A Tribute to MiLes Davis: The Electric Years, on Saturday, April 27^th, 8:00pm at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave. Chicago's premiere electric bass player Frank Russell and his band pay homage to the jazz master in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month with a signature song 'Code M2," originally penned for MiLes Davis by Chicago's very own Robert Irving and arranged for Frank on his highly acclaimed CD "Circle Without End." Joining Frank on stage are Dede Sampaio (MiLes Davis Band percussionist), Dee Alexander (jazz vocalist) & young lion trumPeter Corey Wilkes plus surprise guests in what promises to be a memorable performance you won't want to miss. Jazz critic Neil Tesser to host; produced by Lynn Orman Weiss, Orman Music Group, sponsored by WDCB, 90.9FM. Tickets are $25 general admission at www.maynestage.com or 773.381.4554. Valet parking $5.00.

"MiLes Davis is one of my biggest influences as a musician," says Frank Russell. "To get the blessing and support from the MiLes Davis family for this concert, there are no words...but that I am blessed and thankful."

"Uncle Miles always said the funkiest bass players were from Chicago...Frank Russell proves him right." -- Vince Wilburn Jr., Drummer and Nephew of MiLes Davis

Frank met Vince Wilburn Jr., Robert Irving III and RAndy Hall at the home of drummer Terry Morrisette. "The MiLes Davis album "The Man With The Horn" had just come out and these guys on the album were heroes to me," explains Frank. "They took me right in when they found out I played with the late Ken Chaney who Vince used to play with and he would still come and sit in with us when he was in town. We are like brothers now!" It is in large part to Vince's suggestion that the concept for Frank's acclaimed CD "Circle Without End" was born.

Lakland Bass guitarist Frank Russell, a native of Chicago, started his music career early playing drums, guitar and sax before switching to bass guitar at the age of 14, and has been playing it ever since. Along the way working or recording with such diverse artists as The Spaniels, Dee Clark, Dee Dee Warwick, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Freddie Hubbard, Ramsey Lewis, Bobby Irving , Art Porter, Alphonse Mouzon, Red Holt, Mike Wolff, Willie Pickens, Peter Erskine, Ken Chaney, Sugar Blue and many others. Frank has recorded five CDs with acclaimed guitarist, Henry Johnson, whose first CD "You're the One" garnered a five star rating in Down Beat Magazine, received number one status in radio airplay across the country & was nominated for a Grammy. Frank has recorded two CDs under his own name. The first, "Covering All Basses," where he plays fretless, four and five string and acoustic bass guitars and the latest, "Circle Without End." Frank is an endorsee and clinician of Lakland Guitars and Gallien-Krueger. He also endorses GHS Strings.

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