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Twang, Swagger and Swing
Critically acclaimed, award-winning guitarist, vocalist and composer, Woody Russell, concerns himself with a certain aesthetic that is "inextricably tangled with a myriad of inspirations." With his Jazzicana brand of American roots music, both Woody's guitar playing - which Blues Revue likened to the "fearlessness" of legendary guitarist, Jeff Beck - and songwriting are equally informed by a cross-pollination of classic singer-songwriters, rhythm and blues, vintage country and jazz. "I'm equal parts guitar picker and crooner." It's a potent mix of twang, swagger and swing peppered with vivid lyricism and Woody's command of his honeyed baritone voice. His music feels lived in, experienced and a bit restless.
His origin story begins – more or less – with a kid in southwestern Montana, the FM dial and a borrowed classical guitar. Those seeds planted long before uprooting the country kid to a working musician's grind in Seattle clubs during the heyday of Grunge. Following another relocation, his story continues with unrelenting effort toward broader recognition and success in the eclectic, roots music epicenter of Austin, TX. It's been a steady creative pulse, ultimately forging an artist now thousands of gigs in to his career. Woody continues to honor an ever-present spark of fascination with "guitars and song-craft", stoking the original flame while delivering new recordings released on his own CUTS Music Group label.
Russell has released a catalogue of diverse recorded work that spans from the Americana infused fare of his first album, As Simple As That (1996), to the rootsy IMA "Album Of The Year" nominated, Salt (2005). Then there came a highly praised blues and soul album, Up Against It (2010), followed by the rich instrumental/orchestral collection, Big Sky (2012). Later releases offered up funky pop-jazz shades with Delicious Days (2013) and Carry It Up (2016). A new album, Dark Hour Radio, is slated for release in early 2022 with the first single dropping late in 2021.
Woody Russell tours throughout North America at all manner of venues (clubs, house concerts, theaters) and major festivals, including the prestigious Newport Folk Festival. He's been a prominently featured artist on the CW Network's docu-reality show, "Troubadour, TX", a Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist and a 2019 Austin Music Awards Poll Top Ten Songwriter.
"Any hard-won success I've managed to garner has happened without the support of a major label. I won't lie: there has been real pain and heartbreak associated with this life. But, I am a fiercely persistant believer in the positive force of this mysterious magic we call music."
