Blog: JamsBio Magazine

George Russell, the man who freed jazz, died last month at the age of 86. If his obituaries are anything to go by, Russell will be remembered more keenly for his contributions to jazz music theory than his own compositions, which will be a shame. Russell, a pianist, composer, and arranger, came up with the theoretical basis for modal jazz, but he made some fantastic music, too.

• Track 1
• Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchest - Cubano-Be, Cubano-Bop
• George Russell - A Helluva Town