-
Rhonda Hamilton Interviews Guitarist Russell Malone
May 1, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.
Add new comment | Filed under: audience, ballad, busy day, fcc, fortunately, great guitarists, guitarist, hefty fines, hotel room, Interviews, Jazz Alive, jazz host, jimmy smith, jokes, kenny burrell, lesson in music, midday, organist, rhonda, russell malone, those guys, wes montgomeryRhonda Hamilton interviewed guitarist Russell Malone yesterday.
Fortunately, Russell didn't share any of his really colorful jokes with our audience. If he did, the FCC would level some hefty fines.
He did, however, talk at length about his experience with Jimmy Smith. When Russell met the organist in Atlanta, he asked to sit in with the band. Russell played everything he knew, trying to impress Jimmy. The audience went wild. Then, Smith called a ballad, "Laura," and Russell did not know the song. That humbling experience led to an all-night lesson in music in Jimmy Smith's hotel room. Smith had played with some great guitarists, notably Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery. He taught Russell Malone a valuable lesson - to put himself into the music, rather than trying to emulate those guys. Listen to the interview.
-Josh© 2008 WBGO
Note: These comment boards are available to the general public. Statements expressed in the comment boards do not necessarily reflect WBGO's views. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorsement of the views expressed within them. For more information, please read our Terms of Service.





