Calm Hands on sale now! 

As previously mentioned, I spent some of the last strange year condensing my ideas about efficient piano technique and ways to achieve it into a book.

Calm Hands: Safe and efficient technique for pianists is now available through wagtailbooks.com.au

 

The year that was different... 

January is typically a quiet time in my date book, so in order to use my time well, I thought I should just write a book. In the last twenty years I have amassed piles of information on hand and arm physiology, gained many useful understandings about their efficient usage, and designed countless exercises to help students gain a strong, efficient and safe technique. Nine months later, my creation, Calm Hands, is approaching the final moments of design and layout, and is soon to be printed. Watch this space.

Read more

Looking back to 2019 

2019 was time to revitalise the Steve Russell Band for a new round of gigs, so I fell in with some incredible young players from Brisbane: drummer Aaron Jansz, trumpeter Lachlan McKenzie and bassist Luke McIntosh, all outstanding talents. We had so much fun we also did gigs as the Lachie McKenzie Quartet and the Aaron Jansz Quartet - same band, different repertoires.

It's always a joy to do some gigs with my sisters Sharny Russell-van Herp and Helen Russell - we have so much repertoire in common and such a…

Read more

Looking forward to 2019 

So long 2018. The Year of the Dog was a dog of a year for many in my circles. Let us hope the Pig is kinder!

I'm pleased to announce that the charting and transcribing services I have done for the last twenty years are now formally available worldwide through this site and through my FaceBook page. Use the Contact link to email me if you would like to use this service.

I'm very excited that the Queensland Music Festival have once again invited me to act as Musical Director, this time for their 20th…

Read more

Music....ABC TV Series 

My composition Forty Days has been selected for use in the new ABC drama series Seven Types of Ambiguity which will premiere on Thursday 13th April.

Bring on 2017 

Thrilled to be the Musical Director for the Queensland Music Festival's 'The Isaac Project'. 

This year I have been working with an incredible creative team and talented groups from the local communities of Middlemount, Dysart, Clermont, Moranbah, Glenden and Nebo. We have been giving workshops, gathering stories, histories, dreams and aspirations to weave together a production that will be unique to Isaac, culminating in two large and free spectacular outdoor concerts in Moranbah in July, 2017

2016 in review 

The highlight of the year was a season as Musical Director with Opera Queensland, in association with La Boîte Theatre Company, presenting a new take on Snow White, with new music by Zulia Kamalova, and featuring Silvia Colloca and Kanen Breen. This was followed by another joyful season with Women In Voice.  I’ve been involved in some wonderful recording projects - Leigh Carriage’s Weave, and soon to be released CDs from Jack Thorncraft and Thierry Fossemalle. In response to the sad decline in the health of…

Read more

Here comes 2015 

More Steve Russell Quartet gigs this year with the formidable Trav Jenkins in the guitar chair. Already booked as MD for Season 22 of Women In Voice at the Judith Wright Centre. Looking forward to another year with JMI in Brisbane and a new cohort of students. Ongoing gigs with The Bella Reunion (Brooklyn Standard and the Broadbeach Blues Festival in May), Lateo, Russell Family, Martha Baartz, Byron Bay Community Centre Steinway fundraisers.
Go to Shows for details.

So long 2014... 

The usual broad array of creative engagements to keep me musically nourished throughout the year: Creative Jazz Club, Auckland New Zealand with Roger Manins and Leigh Carriage. Brisbane International Jazz Festival with Leigh Carriage, Paul Hudson and Helen Russell. Jazz Music Institute (JMI) Live performances with Brendan Clarke, Roger Manins, Lauren Lucille, Dave Sanders, Helen Russell and Trav Jenkins.

Musical Director

  • 21st season of Women In Voice at the Judith Wright Centre including regional…
Read more

Jazz Festival 

This weekend the Dubbo Jazz Festival is featuring Leigh Carriage. I'm looking forward to playing her beautiful original material with Brendan Clarke and Andrew Gander. 

Maroochydore gig - The Piano Bar June 15 

Friends on the Sunshine Coast are invited to my show at The Piano Bar, Maroochydore. Legends OJ Newcombe and Joe Marchisella will be assisting. Should be a swinging night!

Update 

Two great rehearsals this weekend and looking forward to Brisbane gigs this week with Ben Hauptmann and Leigh Carriage. 

Tour Dates Announced 

Looking forward to launching 'Dark Matters' with with Ben Robertson, Dave Beck and James Sherlock at Bennetts Lane in August.