Russ Wilcox

Saxophonist, Composer, Educator

From the collective voices of past generations, he has developed his personal, distinct voice as a soloist. -Anne Lerardi (Barnstable Patriot) "Russ has an appealing sound, very good technique, and the ability to play on the changes of highly difficult pieces." -Greg Abate (International Jazz Artist) "...His sax playing is a mix of youthful enthusiasm with fine young "chops..." -Michael Gross(Barnstable Patriot)

Biography
Privately trained by the regions top musicians, Russ Wilcox is one of Cape Cods most popular upcoming saxophonists. Along with teaching privately, he maintains an active performance schedule with his own ensemble. Russ has performed for numerous venues including: Somethin Jazz Club, the Provincetown Jazz Festival, and the Falmouth Jazz Festival. He has also been featured at the Provincetown Art Museums Next Generation of Jazz concert where he performed with Alex Brown, who is best known as Paquito DRiveras pianist. His style blends modern lines with a strong sense of command and tribute to the traditional bebop style of his inspirations, which include Charlie Bird Parker and Sonny Stitt; or as the Barnstable Patriot quotes His sax playing is a mix of youthful enthusiasm with fine young chops. Russ career as a musician began at the age of 10 when he began playing saxophone. His strong aptitude and passion for music, and more specifically jazz, led to his professional career beginning at the age 16. Whilst attending high school, Russ began substituting for performances that his private teachers could not attend, due to illness or scheduling conflict. Since then, he has performed with many jazz greats including Grammy nominated saxophonist Greg Abate and the late Steven Neil, who performed with McCoy Tyner, Roland Kirk, and Elvin Jones. In conjunction with performing with local jazz greats, Russ has also had the opportunity to open for Jonathan Batiste in 2010. Along with his current study with Brooklyn saxophonist Will Vinson, Russ has studied with some of the countrys most respected saxophonists, including Gary Smulyan, Greg Abate, and Geoff Vidal