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Russell Lamar Malone (November 8, 1963 – August 23, 2024) was an American jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988 and went on to work with Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s.Neuroth, Matt. (2008). Bio: Russell Malone. Retrieved January 13, 2008 Down Beat
Starting in 1988, he spent two years with Jimmy Smith, then three with Harry Connick Jr. In 1995, Malone became the guitarist for the Diana Krall Trio, participating in three Grammy Award-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.
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 led his own trio and quartet. 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, Malone 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.
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 from a heart attack in Tokyo on August 23, 2024, at the age of 60; he had been on tour in Japan as part of a trio with Carter and Donald Vega.
| 1992 | Russell Malone | Columbia Records | With Harry Connick Jr. (piano) and Donald Brown (piano), Milt Hinton and Robert Hurst (bass), Shannon Powell and Yoron Israel (drums) |
| 1993 | Black Butterfly | Columbia Records | With Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Gary Motley (piano), Paul Keller (bass), Peter Siers (drums) |
| 1998 | Sweet Georgia Peach | Verve Records | With Kenny Barron (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) |
| 2000 | Look Who's Here | Verve Records | With Anthony Wonsey (piano), Richie Goods (bass), Byron Landham (drums) |
| 2001 | Heartstrings | Verve Records | With Alan Broadbent and Dori Cammi (arrangements), Kenny Barron (piano), Christian McBride (bass) Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums) |
| 2004 | Playground | MAXJAZZ | With Joe Locke (vibraphone), Martin Bejerano (piano), Tassili Bond (bass), E.J. Strickland (drums) |
| 2006 | Live At The Jazz Standard Vol. One | MAXJAZZ | With Martin Bejerano (piano), Tassili Bond (bass), Jonathan Blake (drums) |
| 2007 | Live At The Jazz Standard Vol. Two | MAXJAZZ | With Martin Bejerano (piano), Tassili Bond (bass), Jonathan Blake (drums) |
| 2010 | Triple Play | MAXJAZZ | With David Wong (bass), Montez Coleman (drums) |
| 2015 | Love Looks Good On You | HighNote | With Rick Germanson (piano) Gerald Cannon (bass), Willie Jones III (drums) |
| 2016 | All About Melody | HighNote | With Rick Germanson (piano) Luke Sellick (bass), Willie Jones III (drums) |
| 2017 | Time For The Dancers | HighNote | With Rick Germanson (piano) Luke Sellick (bass), Willie Jones III (drums) |
As Co-Leader
With Harry Connick Jr.
With Benny Green
With Diana Krall
With Houston Person
With David Sanborn
With others
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