“Green can flat-out sing in a way none of the classic blues artists could. He is also a fluent, fluid harmonica player, whose runs are quite lyrical. Together, this creates a compelling incongruity: a blues singer who isn’t quite bluesy and a blues harpist who isn’t quite what you might expect on a blues album. The tension makes for an interesting album where the songs sound both familiar and different.” - Steven Ovadia
“Green’s well-above-average singing succeeds in its balance between his allegiance to tradition and his aim to reinvigorate the music in a discernible way. ” - Frank-John Hadley
— Downbeat Magazine
Harmonica player and singer Russ Green is part of the new generation of the Blues. He has played, toured and recorded with a number of Blues greats, including Grammy nominees and Blues Award winners John Primer and Lurrie Bell. His first musical desire was to play guitar and re-create the sounds of Jimi Hendrix. But unable to afford a guitar, he remembered a harmonica purchased a few years earlier, and his musical journey began. He benefitted greatly from the many years he spent honing his craft while hanging out in Chicago’s Blues clubs with friends Sugar Blue and Billy Branch. Russ was one of a number of harmonica players featured on two cd’s with the intent to show the continued strength and presence of Chicago Blues harmonica. The Chicago Blues Harmonica Project: Diamond’s in the Rough and The Chicago Blues Harmonica Project; More Rare Gems were released on Severn Records. Russ also produced a CD for SiriusXM satellite radio personality on B.B. King’s Bluesville, Big Llou Johnson. That CD won a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist in 2013. His CD titled City Soul was selected as one of DownBeat Magazine’s Best of 2018. City Soul was also selected as one of Living Blues Magazine’s Best of the Decade. Russ Green continues to solidify his place in the world of Blues.
Press photos
