Detroit native has done it all, from Gary Karr and classical to Rick Derringer, Clarence Clemons and Joe Satriani. Read his story, as told to FBPO
Exclusive interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
March 5, 2012
Born in Detroit to a musical family, Brad Russell was exposed to a wide variety of music, virtually from the beginning. At the tender age of 7, “little Brad” was singing with his older brothers’ band in the Detroit club circuit, describing himself “the Motor City version of Donnie Osmond.”
At age 12, Brad traded the microphone for an upright bass and began studying classical technique with Detroit Symphony Orchestra bassist Maxim Janowsky and, later, bass virtuoso Gary Karr. Upon a recommendation from American Idol’s Randy Jackson, Russell received a scholarship to the highly acclaimed University of Miami School of Music.
Brad Russell has played bass with Neal Schon, Narada Michael Walden, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer, Gregg Allman, Steve Smith, Jack DeJohnette, Lonnie Smith and countless others. He also has toured with Bruce Springsteen saxman Clarence Clemons. His new CD, Let’s Hear It, was released in 2011 and features guest appearances by Joe Satriani and Gregg Bissonette.
FBPO: How would you describe your musical upbringing?
BR: My musical upbringing was diverse, to say the least. My mother is a huge jazz fan, so I grew up listening to artists such as Bill Evans, Paul Desmond and Stan Getz. In fact, my mother would take me to see many of these jazz greats perform when I was just a small boy. Also, my oldest brother was listening to James Brown, Motown and Miles and my other brother was listening to Chicago, Grand Funk Railroad and Aerosmith. I took it all in!
FBPO: How did you end up gravitating to the upright bass and studying classical?
BR: When I was just 7, I began performing pop and rock songs with my older brothers, who had already been playing the Detroit club circuit. I was way into the Jackson 5 and the Osmonds! Most people don’t realize that the Osmonds rocked! Check out “Crazy Horses.”
My mom was very much into formal training. She made it mandatory that we all take music lessons with a private teacher. At age 12, she wanted me to study violin, but I thought that wasn’t a very good instrument for a boy, so I chose to play the upright bass with the school orchestra. I was the smallest kid in my class, but I grabbed the largest instrument!
Shortly after that, my oldest brother helped find a really great private bass instructor for me, Detroit Symphony Orchestra bassist Max Janowsky. At that point, I became very serious about playing classical bass and played it all through high school. I found classical music to be a great challenge and I was very disciplined, so it was a perfect match.
FBPO: Can you share something that you learned from Gary Karr? Maybe even something you’ve incorporated into your playing with Clarence Clemons or Joe Satriani?
BR: Gary Karr left a huge impression on me! Actually, both he and Max taught me things that I’ll never forget. Gary Karr was the first upright classical bassist I’d ever heard with such a powerful, yet beautiful tone. Most bassists I’d heard up to that point were loud, but didn’t have that rich cello-like tone. I heard Gary play, accompanied by about thirty other bass students and he still cut through with such a distinct and unique tone! At that point, I realized that a classical bassist could also be an expressive soloist with a voice of their own.
I carried this concept of tone and expressiveness over to my rock playing on the electric bass. In addition, Max Janowsky taught me efficient practice habits that I use to this day when I’m shedding a new technique or a new piece of music for a gig.
FBPO: Who were your other influences as a young, up-and-coming bass player?
BR: I was influenced by Verdine White when I heard “Shining Star,” from EWF’s That’s the Way of the World. And Stanley Clarke’s playing on RTF’s Romantic Warrior blew my mind! When I heard Jaco’s “Portrait of Tracy,” like a million other bassists, I thought, “Is that a bass making those sounds?”
Later, I was heavily influenced by Billy Sheehan and rock guitar greats Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. On upright, it was Eddie Gomez and Ray Brown.
FBPO: Tell me about your experience in California. You seemed to have spent a lot of time there.
BR: Yeah, growing up in Michigan, I always wanted to go somewhere warmer. Also, my brother had moved to California and I basically followed him out to the San Francisco Bay Area in the ’90s to “make it big.”
It was cool. I played with a bunch of high-profile musicians out there. Many would just show up at a club where my brother and I would be playing and sit in. The first month I was out there, I was playing a blues jam every Monday night at a local bar in Marin County and Neal Schon from Journey would play with us. Some nights, I’d find myself on stage with the likes of Huey Lewis, Carlos Santana or Clarence Clemons.
In addition, I was introduced to talent scout Mike Varney and he hooked me up with auditions in L.A. for Ozzy Osbourne and David Lee Roth. Mike also hired me to record numerous sessions for his Shrapnel and Blues Bureau record labels. I recorded with Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Jeff Watson, Allan Holdsworth, etc. That was a great experience!
FBPO: At the risk of spoiling your “rock” image, I sense you still have a soft spot for jazz. Is that about right?
BR: I love jazz! I never considered myself a pure jazz musician, however, some of the real jazz cats I’ve played with would disagree. They keep telling me I am a jazz musician! [Laughs]
As I mentioned, I grew up listening to jazz and I earned an MM in music from the University of Miami’s Studio Music & Jazz program. I love hard, swinging players like Ray Brown, Paul Chambers and Sam Jones. And I idolized guys like Scott LaFaro and Eddie Gomez for their brilliant soloing. I’m a bass player that can rock hard on electric and can swing on upright.
FBPO: What made you decide to go to New York?
BR: I started playing some musical theater shows in California and decided to try NYC because of the Broadway scene. I’ve been able to play on some cool shows, such as Jersey Boys, Grease and Rock of Ages. Playing shows is a whole other discipline. At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I like a challenge so I gave it a go. It’s been really fun! Also, New York is just such a great city. There really is nowhere else like it. The energy is undeniable and it constantly motivates me to be a better player.
FBPO: Tell me about your new CD, Let’s Hear It.
BR: My new CD is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time now. I wanted to feature my bass playing in a hard rock “lead bass” style. Originally, I was all over the map as far as styles go because I am a versatile player. So I went back to the drawing board and really focused on creating a consistent sound throughout all the tracks.
I mostly played my 4-string Warwick bass in standard tuning, with LaBella strings. I used a Radial distortion pedal and a Dunlop bass “Crybaby” for most everything.
My playing on this CD is closer to guitar players that have influenced me, such as Jeff Beck, Van Halen, Steve Vai and Satriani. In fact, Joe Satriani played a solo on one track titled “Zattack” and my brother, Kevin Russell, played a guitar solo on the track “Brothers.” Other than that, it’s all me, all bass, all shred!
Also, Gregg Bissonette added his incredible drumming to all tracks. At one point on the song “Zattack,” it’s Satriani on guitar, Gregg Bissonette on drums and me on bass. I definitely had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming!
FBPO: What else is keeping you busy these days?
BR: I am primarily focused on playing my own music live as much as possible and just working as a musician in New York. I am currently subbing on a few Broadway shows and playing various acoustic jazz gigs in town. Also, I’m finishing up three new songs, for which Gregg Bissonette laid down killer drum tracks. Really rockin’ stuff!
FBPO: How about the future? What else would you like to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?
BR: I would love to go on tour with some of the cats that have been such a big influence on me: Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Satriani, etc. Hey, guys: Have bass, will travel!
I would also like to make an acoustic record, more of an Americana type thing, perhaps with upright, pedal steel, acoustic guitar and vocals. I love that kind of stuff!
FBPO: What would you be if you weren’t a bass player?
BR: If I wasn’t playing bass I guess I’d be pumping gas. Oh wait, gas stations have been self-serve for over twenty-some years now. Guess I’d be out of luck!
No, seriously, I would possibly be teaching a subject such as English. Or, this may sound weird, but I would be coaching boxers. Actually, I currently do that part-time in New York. I boxed amateur in the Golden Gloves and love the sport, so I train other people at a gym in Manhattan. I am The Boxing Bass Player!
