Russell Malone obit

Jazz guitarist, Albany native Russell Malone passes away

 

He was not on the list.

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - WALB has confirmed that Russell Malone, an Albany native and famed guitarist, died on Friday. He was 60.

Russell had a storied career playing with Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr., George Benson, Ron Carter, Dianne Reeves, Freddy Cole, David Sanborn and many others. He also released several solo albums.

Malone was a guest on WALB’s “Dialogue This Week with Karla Heath-Sands” on two occasions, with the last being in 2018.

Though he remained busy touring throughout his life, he frequently returned to his hometown.

Malone was born in Albany, Georgia, United States on November 8, 1963. He began playing at the age of four with a toy guitar his mother bought him. He was influenced by B. B. King and The Dixie Hummingbirds. A significant experience was when he was twelve and saw George Benson perform on television with Benny Goodman. He was mostly self-taught.

Starting in 1988, he spent two years with Jimmy Smith, then three with Harry Connick Jr. In 1995, he became the guitarist for the Diana Krall Trio, participating in three Grammy-nominated albums, including When I Look in Your Eyes, which won the award for Best Vocal Jazz Performance. Malone was part of pianist Benny Green's recordings in the late 1990s and 2000: Kaleidoscope (1997), These Are Soulful Days (1999), and Naturally (2000). The two formed a duo and released the live album Jazz at The Bistro in 2003 and the studio album Bluebird in 2004. They toured until 2007.[citation needed]

Malone toured with Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, and Dianne Reeves and did session work with Kenny Barron, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Jack McDuff, Mulgrew Miller, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. He recorded his first solo album in 1992 and has led his own trio and quartet.[3] He also appeared as a special guest with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, and pianist Hank Jones in celebration of his 90th birthday. In October 2008, he performed in a duo with guitarist Bill Frisell at Yoshi's in Oakland, California. During the next year, Malone became a member of the band for saxophonist Sonny Rollins, celebrating his 80th birthday in New York City.[citation needed]

Malone recorded live on September 9–11, 2005, at Jazz Standard, New York City, and Maxjazz documented the performances on the albums Live at Jazz Standard, Volume One (2006) and Live at Jazz Standard, Volume Two (2007). Appearing on these two volumes, and touring as The Russell Malone Quartet, were Martin Bejerano on piano, Tassili Bond on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums. Malone's 2010 recording Triple Play (also on Maxjazz) featured David Wong on bass and Montez Coleman on drums. His album, All About Melody featured pianist Rick Germanson, bassist Luke Sellick, and drummer Willie Jones III.

Malone died on August 23, 2024, at the age of 60.