George W. Russell, Jr.

About George

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George W. Russell Jr. is a performer, composer, and educator. He began taking piano lessons when he was 7 years old. Along with studying formally, he had the fortune of growing up playing at his local church. There was no written music at church, so he was given the opportunity to develop his ear.

As Russell continued studying music in college, he discovered jazz and its harmonies. It was then that he began to understand, from a theoretical viewpoint, what exactly he was playing both in church and in his classical repertoire. In that period of time, his unique fusion of gospel and jazz was beginning to form. His performances have ranged from solo piano to a groove-oriented jazz trio to a soulful, fresh-sounding larger ensemble that intrigues the listener's intellect and touches their soul. His playing is filled with passion, fire, soul, and spirit, which fits with his motto: "I would rather inspire than require."

Prior to becoming chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department, Russell served as a professor of harmony and piano. He has been awarded the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Curriculum Development Award for the Professional Writing and Music Technology Division. He has also been recognized with the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award. He's known as a source of encouragement and inspiration to anyone who crosses his path.

I see teaching as an opportunity to love people. By loving people, I simply mean putting myself in their shoes and placing their needs in front of my needs.