Russell Malone, a jazz guitarist and composer who could play with a brash attack and lightning-fast fingers as a soloist and with a powdery, gentle feel and sturdy rhythm as a sideman, died of a heart attack on August 23 while on tour in Tokyo with bassist Ron Carter and pianist Donald Vega. He was 60. [Photo above of Russell Malone]
What made Russell exceptional was his sensitivity. He had enormous respect for a song, whether it was one made famous by Benny Golson or the Carpenters. He also had a special relationship with melody—the catchier, the better—since it would let him turn the song inside out with grace.
Words can't compete with Russell's captivating music, so here are 10 of my favorite tracks in tribute to the late guitarist:
Here's Wes Montgomery's Jingles from Russell's Black Butterfly, recorded in 1993 and '94, with Gary Motley (p), Russell Malone (g), Paul Keller (b) and Pete Siers (d)...
Here's Russell playing Jimmy Smith's Off the Top, from his Wholly Cats album in 1995, with Russell Malone (g), Larry Willis (p), Rodney Whitaker (b) and Yoron Israel (d)...
Here's Russell with Mose Allison on Mose's Cruise Control, from the pianist's Gimcracks & Gewgaws in 1997, with Mark Shim (ts), Mose Allison (p,vcl), Russell Malone (g), Ratzo Harris (b) and Paul Motian (d)...
Here's Russell with Diana Krall on Jerome Kern's Pick Yourself Up, from her massively popular When I Look in Your Eyes (1998), with Diana Krall (p,vcl) with an orchestra and strings arranged by Johnny Mandel...
Here's Russell on his composition To Benny Golson, from Russell's Sweet Georgia Peach album in 1998, with Kenny Barron (p), Russell Malone (g), Ron Carter (b) and Lewis Nash (d)...
Here's Russell playing Neal Hefti's The Odd Couple theme from his album Look Who's Here in 1999, with Anthony Wonsey (p), Russell Malone (g, Richie Goods (b) and Byron Landham (d)...
Here's Russell playing solo on Carole King's You've Got a Friend, from his Playground album in 2003...
Here's Russell with pianist Benny Green on Eugene McDaniels' Feel Like Makin' Love, from their Bluebird duet album in 2003...
And here's Russell playing his composition Pecan Pie, from his Triple Play album in 2010, with Russell Malone (g) David Wong (b) and Montez Coleman (d)...
