Aug. 12, 2006 – Sunset Jazz and the Frederiksted Economic Development Association Inc. are featuring Eddie Russell & the QLJ Band for the Friday, Aug. 18th concert.
Russell is one of the premier jazz trumpeters in the Caribbean. Having performed on stage with some of the top names in the industry, he has been a mainstay in the Caribbean and Latin jazz scene for many years. A native Crucian, he is from a musical family, whose members also include his daughter, flautist (and lawyer) Diane Russell, and his brother, guitarist (and lawyer and senator) Ronald Russell. He began playing trumpet professionally at age 15, formed his first group, Eddie & The Playboys, in 1964, and then went on to earn an undergraduate degree in music from the City College of New York as well as his master's from Queens College. Russell has played and studied with such music legends as Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Garrison, James Moody, The Mighty Sparrow and Sam and Dave. He can be heard on the "Mr. Bow Tie" CD of jazz bass master Ron Carter. Russell is also a prolific composer and a music educator.
Joining Russell on stage as the QLJ Band (Quelbe Latin Jazz) is an all-star cast of Caribbean jazz artists: Otto James on keyboards, Mario Russell on bass, Larry Bough on drums and timbales, and Wilfred "Junie Bomba" Allick on congas and bongos.
Sunset Jazz will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 18, in Frederiksted. The concert is a free family affair and hose attending are encouraged to take along folding chairs or blankets for seating. FEDA will have its drink concession going, with proceeds helping to offset the costs of the concert, so please be cool: no coolers. Other sponsors of Sunset Jazz are FirstBank VI, WTJX/ Channel 12, which assists every month by video taping Sunset Jazz. The taped concert airs on Channel 12 Saturday nights at 8 p.m., and as a reminder, WVIQ/Sunny 99.5 FM is the official radio station of Sunset Jazz.
For more information, contact Bridget Cox-Dawson at 277-0692 or e-mail [email protected]