Don Russo has paid far more than the usual dues in his journey as a Jazz Bassist. Music has always been his life’s quest, from his first vocal stage performances at the age of 5 and his first stint in a band as a guitarist at age 10 through his permanent connection with the bass, formed at age 18. His major influences include Percy Heath, Charles Mingus, Scott Lafaro, Ron Carter, and Charlie Haden.

Don studied the bass for four years with Wendell Rudolph, and then expanded his education with instruction from Charles Siani of the San Francisco Symphony and Walter Hardman of the New York Philharmonic Symphony and the Detroit Symphony. He was awarded a full Ford Tuition Scholarship to the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts, where he majored in Bass. He was also a member of The Jackson Michigan 15 piece Jazz Orchestra led by Dr. Don Wes.

It was during his studies at the Detroit Institute that fate intervened and nearly ended a promising musical career before it had begun. While waiting for a bus after class, he was mugged, and in the process of defending himself, he sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand. For years, he put his musical dreams on hold, earning his living in the world of business while pursuing physical and mental rehabilitation and privately nurturing his hampered dream. Undaunted persistence and his passion for music saw him through several years of rehabilitation, and with considerable effort his journey resumed. In 2005 the Russo Alberts Trio released “Rejuvenation”, marking Don’s reemergence in the music scene.

Don has played with many of the greats. In Detroit, he performed with Bubby Hatchet, Marcus Belgrave, Dan Turner, and Leon Hatkins. In San Francisco, he has been a member of the Virgil Gonsalves Quartet and the Don Alberts Quartet, and is currently a member of the Russo Alberts Trio. He has also performed in San Francisco with Art Lewis, Vi Redd, Dewey Redman, Larry Vucovich, Norman Williams, and the legendary Scatman Crothers. He was also house bassist for Gilmore Recording Studio and Jimbo’s Bop City, as well as a frequent performer at Soulsville and Haight Levels in San Francisco.

Don Russo’s recordings include three CDs: Virgil Gonsalves Quartet (to be released), Don Alberts Trio 63 (to be released), and “Rejuvenation” by the Russo Alberts Trio, released in 2005.

Don plays 7/8 Ren’e Cune 1957 bass, with set up by David Gage String Instruments, and a Realist Pickup.

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