About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
June 4, 1909 ~ Jazz violinist, saxophonist, clarinetist Johnny Russell, full name John W Russell, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Active since the mid 1920s. Perhaps best known for his work with Bobby Martin, notably present on the soundtrack to the 1938 film L'Alibi. Has also worked with Jimmy Campbell, Earle Howard, Harry White, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Willie Lewis, Garvin Bushell, Russell Wooding, Cecil Scott, and Eddie Cornelius. Semi-retired from music by the late 1940s, yet would continue to occasionally play club dates ~ Russell passed away in 1991