RUSSELL GRAY
Russell has been a professional soloist for the last 15 years, establishing
himself as one of the worlds leading exponents in the art of cornet playing.
Russell keeps a busy diary of engagements including Gala Performances,
Recitals, Master Classes, and Educational Workshops. This regularly takes
him to most of the European countries, as well as America, Japan, and
Australia.
Russell’s other “passion” is conducting. In the last few
years, he has become one of the most successful brass band conductors on
the scene, being awarded the coveted title of “4barsrest.com conductor
of the year” in 2002
Russell was born near Glasgow in Scotland in 1968, and an early interest
in music saw him pick up his father’s trumpet by the age of 9. Within
a few years he had won many national solo prizes including the under 17 Solo
Championship of Great Britain by the time he was 12.
Russell moved to Yorkshire to study music and soon after, joined the world
famous Black Dyke Mills Band where he stayed for 2 years. He then moved to
the Leyland band sitting next to his teacher as Assistant Principal Cornet.
Russell left University with a distinction in performance and soon was on
the look out for his first Principal Cornet Chair. The Britannia Building
Society Band gave Russell his first break in 1990 and in 1991 Russell moved
back to the Leyland Band on Principal Cornet, leading them through a successful
period, which resulted in the band obtaining the World ranking number one.
Quickly establishing himself as a soloist of some distinction, Russell’s
diary began filling up with solo concerts all over the world. In 1999 Russell
and his wife Mareika went on a world tour for 6 months performing over 100
engagements visiting Australia, New Zealand, North America, Canada, and England
finishing just before Christmas of that year.
Russell’s conducting career started when he was appointed resident
conductor of the Stavanger Band in Norway in 1998. Russell moved back to
England in 2001 to take over as Principal Conductor of the Ransome Band.
Along with many successful tours and concerts with the band, the highlight
was obtaining a 2nd place at the National Championships in the Royal Albert
Hall in 2000. In 2002, the Fodens Richardson Band approached Russell to conduct
them and within the first year had obtained three 1st prizes and two 2nd
placings in five contests, taking them to the World ranking number one.
Since 2003 Russell has been freelancing as a conductor and player, and this
has continued to take him around the world. At home, Russell teaches at the
University of Salford, the Royal Northern College of Music and is a “Besson” endorsed
artist.
© Copyright 2005 JAGRINS Music Publications