Nick Russo Trio

• Nick Russo - guitar & banjo
• Ari Hoenig, Willard Dyson, David Pleasant (Gullah) - drums
• Miles Griffith (jazz, world music) - voice
• Mark Turner - sax
• Art Hirahara - piano/Rhodes
• Samir Chatterjee - tabla
• Greg Glassman - trumpet
• Matt Clohesy or Nathan Peck - bass
• Betina Hershey (jazz, R&B, pop, folk) - voice

The Nick Russo Trio performs originals, standards, 1950s & 60s jazz as well as 20s & 30s Traditional Jazz, music from New Orleans and Dixieland. We perform as an instrumental trio as well as with a male or female vocalist. We have varied versions of the group performing the music of A.C. Jobim, bossa-nova, samba, Brazilian pop music and other music from Brasil. We also perform the music of Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Supremes, Bill Withers and other R & B & Motown. We also perform singer/song-writer music, pop (including Beatles, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan) and folk music.

All the members of the group are full-time professionals. The group has many references and recommendations as we often get gigs via word of mouth. We are never too loud, never obtrusive and we always punctual, easy to work with and reliable.

Guitarist/Banjoist, Nick Russo leads a life of full-time performing, including performances in New York City at: Carnegie Hall, The U.N., I.A.J.E., Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Birdland, Iridium Jazz Club, The Zinc Bar, 55 Bar, Cape Cod Jazz Festival, N.J.P.A.C., Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, Zinc Bar, Smoke Jazz Club, Sweet Rhythm, Barbes, Showmans, Lenox Lounge, Charles Ives Center, Tilles Center, Cleopatra's Needle, Kavehaz, Merchants, The C-Note, Smiths, Moto, WKCR & WUSB radio. Television appears include Manhattan One, Metro Elvis in Manhattan, and numerous local cable access channels. International performances include: Japan, Omsk, Tomsk, Novasibersk, Akademgorodok (Academy City), Moscow, Brazil, Barcelona, St. Kitts in the Caribbean, Barcelona, Spain & at the Banff Center in Canada.

****Nick appears (playing guitar) in the new Sam Mendes film, "Away We Go" that was currently in theatres and now available on DVD. Nick Russo also composed music and plays guitar on the soundtrack for the independent film: "King George."

Nick Russo has been the guitarist and banjoist with Vince Giordano and The Night Hawks and Victor Jones' Cultureversy, and currently with Miles Griffith's New Ting, David Pleasant & others.

Nick also has worked with the legendary Jimmy McGriff, legendary vibraphonist, Teddy Charles, late legendary bassist, Sony Dallas, saxophonist, Tim Berne, violinist, Jim Nolet (formally with the Jazz Passengers), Tony Moreno, Mike Bisio, the Frank & Joe Show, Bruce Cox Trio, Dan Levinson, Kim Clarke Quintet and others.

Nick's recent recording "Ro" features Nick Russo + 11: Mark Turner, Miles Griffith, Samir Chatterjee, Ari Hoenig & others. Nick is also the author of 2 books: "Metallica, Legendary Licks series vol. 1 & vol. 2 as well as the editor of the GRP arpeggio book and exercise book (published by Cherry Lane/Hal Leonard). The new self produced album "RO" is getting reviews in Down Beat, Jazz Times, All About Jazz, Jazz Improv magazine, Hot House, ejazz news, Boston Gazette, Vintage Guitar, Cadence, Jazz-iz, Drumhead Magazine & others across the country as well as reviews in Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Greece & other countries. National radio play and internationally radio play include Sweeden, Switzerland, France, Canada, across the U.S. & other countries.

• Night and Day - Cole Porter
• Girl From Ipanema - A.C. Jobim
• Take Five - Paul Desmond
• Woodstock - Joni Mitchell
• Four on Six - Wes Montgomery
• Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis
• Alagoas - Djavan
• Serrado - Djavan
• Nefertiti - Wayne Shorter
• Giant Steps - John Coltrane
• Fly Me To The Moon - Bart Howard
• You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Cole Porter
• Summertime - George Gershwin
• Inner Urge - Joe Henserson
• Ju Ju - Wayne Shorter
• Pinocchio - Wayne Shorter
• So Danco Samba - A.C. Jobim
• Desafinado - Tom Jobim/Newton Mendonça
• Corcodavo - Tom Jobim
• So Danco Samba - Tom Jobim
• I Love You - Cole Porter
• After Your'e Gone - David Weissner
• Royal Garden Blues - Clarence Williams and Spencer Williams
• I Wish - Stevie Wonder
• Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
• Living For The City - Stevie Wonder
• Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
• Too High - Stevie Wonder
• Send One Your Love - Stevie Wonder
• Cold Sweat - James Brown
• Get On The Good Foot - James Brown
• Lickin Stick - James Brown
• Sex Machine - James Brown
• Soul Power - James Brown
• Super Bad - James Brown
• Triggered - Nick Russo
• Little Hands - Nick Russo
• Dinda - Nick Russo
• Ro - Nick Russo
• Mitsvah - Nick Russo
• Moy Zaichick - Nick Russo
• Mmm - Nick Russo
• Untitled - Nick Russo
• Please Come Home - Nick Russo
• Embraceable You - Georgo Gershwin
• It Might As Well Be Spring - Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
• When The Saints Go Marching In - traditional
• Amazing Grace - traditional
• A Closer Walk With Thee - traditional
• April In Paris - Vernon Duke
• Gone With The Wind
• Autum In New York - Vernon Duke
• Cherokee - Ray Noble
• If I Could Write A Book - George Gershwin
• All Blues - Miles Davis
• D Natural Blues - Wes Montgomery
• Breezin - George Benson
• This Masquarade - Leon Russell
• You Stepped Out Of A Dream - Gus Hahn/Nacio Herb Brown
• Invitation - Kaper/Washington
• Gentle Rain - Louis Bonfa
• Black Orpheus - Luis Bonfa
• Lush Life - Billy Strayhorn
• Take The 'A' Train - Billy Strayhorn
• In A Mellow Tone - Duke Ellington
• Solar - Miles Davis
• Someday My Prince Will Come - Churchhill
• Up Jumped Spring - Freddie Hubbard
• Triste - A.C. Jobim
• They Can't Take That Away From Me - George Gershwin
• There Will Never Be Another You - Warren/Gordon
• There Is No Greater Love - Symes/Jones
• Wave - Tom Jobim
• Round Midnight - Thelonious Monk
• Straight No Chaser - Thelonious Monk
• Donna Lee - Charlie Parker/Miles Davis
• Billies' Bounce - Charlie Parker
• Now's The Time - Charlie Parker
• Ornithology - Charlie Parker
• Dexterity - Charlie Parker
• Crazeology - Charlie Parker
• Confirmation - Charlie Parker
• Scrapple From The Apple - Charlie Parker
• The Night Has A Thousand Eyes - Weisman, Garrett, Wayne
• My Favorite Things - Richard Rodgers
• Count Down - John Coltrane
• Niama - John Coltrane
• Central Park West - John Coltrane
• Afro-Blue - John Coltrane
• A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
• Lazybird - John Coltrane
• Too Many To Name!! - we cover the entire American Song Book!

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• My husband and I were looking for a unique band to play on our wedding day. We discovered the Nick Russo Trio and their sound was perfect! Nick reached out to us frequently during the planning process and worked diligently to provide the atmosphere that we were trying to create. Everyone at our wedding gave the band rave reviews. He even let my husband sit in on drums. Nick was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend his band to anyone. The Nick Russo Trio helped to make our wedding day truly memorable. If you choose to work with Nick, you won't be disappointed. -- Kathleen F, Morristown, NJ, 8/6/2011
• Nick was amazing- so accommodating and very sweet. The band was professionally dressed and was a lovely addition to the party. They sounded great and had an eclectic mix of music. I would definitely hire them again! :) -- Ashley J, New York City, NY, 12/17/2011
• Extremely nice to work with, very professional. wonderful range of music. -- Iris L, Montclair, NJ, 10/15/2011
• Our wedding could not have been as spectacular as it was without the incredible talent exhibited by the Nick Russo Trio. As lovers of nearly every genre of music, my wife and I chose The Trio for their flexibility, ingenuity and ability to read and react to their audience. Not only were they a highlight of the evening, but Nick came to the rescue when the house PA system failed us providing us a timely solution, ultimately saving the cocktail hour. All technical praise aside, the Trio are simply fantastic musicians, masters of their craft, and it is my pleasure to recommend them to anyone who asks. Many thanks, Guys. Matt Alyssa -- Alyssa M, Spring Lake, NJ, 9/24/2011
• Yoshi, the Nick Russo Trio's upright bassist, was phenomenal. Nick, in arranging to have Yoshi perform with me, was extremely helpful-- especially since plans were made within such short notice. I highly reccomend the Nick Russo trio, and Yoshi especially for performing cool artistically meticulously crafted live music as well as for their overall friendliness and professionalism. Thanks guys. -- Benjamin S, Danbury, CT, 8/3/2011
• We were completely pleased with Nick and his group. Their music was wonderful, exactly what we had hoped for. They were friendly, prompt, accomodating. I would hire Nick again with pleasure. -- Kathleen P, Roxbury, CT, 7/17/2011
• We hired Nick Russo Trio for our wedding reception on 18 june. In addition to multi-talented Nick on the guitar and his lovely wife Betina on the lead vocal, they also had a great male vocalist who sang great classical American songs. The band is very professional. They accommodated all our song requests and had a great three-hour performance. We strongly recommend the trio and hope to hire them for similar important events in the future. -- Ismail C, New York City, NY, 6/18/2011
• Nick Russo was very accommodating and was eager to please. The beautiful music created by 3 people will leave you questioning, how did they do that? With a very eclectic guest attendance, Nicks music was able to satisfy all levels of musical tastes and rhythms. Definitely a crowd pleaser! -- Teresa P, Bellport, NY, 6/11/2011
• They were great! -- Eva S, Nyc, NY, 3/8/2011
• Nick Russo's troup was fantanstic!!I received lots of compliments about the music and they were very accomodating in leading our 'mardi gras' themed parade!!! Great group!!! -- Claire B, St James, NY, 11/6/2010
• I was extremely impressed with Nick Russo Trio. They were very eager to please and knew just how to please my guests. They are creative and superior musicians.I am a professional musician myself and certainly know quality when I see it. They were getting a great deal of applause from my guests and everyone kept asking me where I found them. They added class and a great deal more to the party. The selection of music was excellent! Bravo!!! -- Apryl G, Brooklyn, NY, 10/23/2010
• Nick did such an amazing job - he totally knew what we wanted and delivered it in style!! -- Joanie B, East Brunswick, NJ, 10/10/2010
• The Nick Russo Trio made my event very special. I had imagined what I wanted the evening to be and they exceeded my expectations making it a night we'll always cherish. -- Cindy T, Nutley, NJ, 5/21/2010
• We had a wide range of ages at our birthday party (from 1-year-olds to octagenarians) and everyone loved the music. They added an upbeat atmosphere to the party without taking over. I wouldn't hesitate to hire them again for my next party. Thanks! -- Susan F, Wyckoff, NJ, 11/15/2009
• I found Nick Russo to be both very talented and very willing to adapt to the needs of my event. It was extremely easy to work with him and his guitar playing was extraordinary. I highly recommend him. -- Meg Y, Tarrytown, NY, 9/13/2009
• Nick did a great job and was exactly what i was looking for during my event. -- Cheryl I, Woodbury, NY, 9/5/2009
• What an amazing band! Their unique blend of funk/jazz/blues makes them an unforgetable band. You can tell that they care about their music and have respect for each individual they play for. We have seen bands all over the country and this is by far the best band we have seen at a wedding, not even close really. The guests at our wedding were from all walks of life and age and everyone commented on how great the band was and how they have never enjoyed a band at a wedding this much before. Bottom line is that the Trio rocks! We truely couldn't have been happier and love the band! Thank you to Nick and the bandmates! -- Talia S, Robbinsville, NJ, 8/29/2009
• Due to my budget, I hired Nick Russo as a Duo for my cocktail hour. I was completely floored with how good they sounded. My venue was set up in a way that the Duo performed on a balcony overlooking my guests. At first many didn't realize the music was live and thought it was a cd playing in the background! They were that good! He played Brazilian Jazz & Bossa Nova to go with my Latin themed wedding. He was a really nice man, real easy to work with and the vocalist had the voice of an angel. I was 100% satisfied and would recommend this group to ANYONE! Thanks so much Nick, you truly made my cocktail hour the talk of the town. Tammy & Tony - Rockaway NJ 6/27/2009 -- Tammy E, Englewood, NJ, 6/27/2009
• Banjoist, Nick Russo played our beloved Monie's memorial service. At 100 yrs of age, it was moving to have music which she loved. The music & his respectful demeanor was needed to remind us of what she taught us to be happy. The ease in arranging for him to play was effortless & took a great deal of worry out of my mind. When his trio began after service with a gentle wail of a trumpet seamlessly coming from heaven, celebration of life began. With his fabulous music we found ourselves gently & joyfully dancing with our ancestors. Thank you for making what might have been a sad & solemn experience a joyful remembrance. I recommend Nick for any of life's celebrations. -- Laura T, Philadelphia, PA, 10/5/2007
• A wonderful group! On both occasions - our wedding and a 70th birthday party event - gave way beyond what we asked. With a whole array of instruments, they turned themselves into a New Orleans jazz band for the wedding, picked up and moved location without a murmur, filled in awkward gaps caused by late guests ... they were sensitive, helpful, accommodating, generous, and played with enthusiasm and a rare degree of musicianship and inventive genius. Our guests were delighted and very impressed with the music, which created exactly the mood we were hoping for and enhanced the occasion to a memorable degree. They are unbelievably talented, obliging, charming and FUN! -- Peter A, South Dartmouth, MA, 9/7/2007
• Nick Russo Trio was a delight to work with. They were accommodating, easy-going, and took the time to fully understand what we needed for our event. They definitely contributed to the success, and I would be happy to work with them again in the future. -- Nicole D, New York, NY, 4/9/2010
• This review is for Nick Russo solo jazz guitarist. He is very good solo, so I am not able to give feedback for the trio. I'm sure the trio would only compliment his wonderful skills. He is a very pleasant gentleman, on time for the party. Great communication and accomodating. Thanks for making the rehearsal dinner in the groove. Highly recommended. -- Jan B, Manahawkin, NJ, 8/1/2008

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