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Show Jazz Piano Concert SVilusic series Russell barrier Music business obstacles Brooke Brown 1 DAILY HERALD THE can't deter local teen performer RuRu ' V 'T At age 11, Isaac Russell was frequently seen wearing a white Fender guitar strap, an oversized suit coat and his love of music on his sleeve. His musical talents were exhibited before then, possessing a knack for songwriting even before kindergarten. And not much has changed since those days except perhaps the fit of his jacket. Going by "RuRu" on stage, Russell is now a with a record deal and a album under his belt. He will be appearing tonight in concert at Velour Live Music Gallery in Provo. Music has always played a role in Russell's life and his many relationships with local musicians has made him quite Comfortable in the scene, even if he is about 10 years younger than his peers. "It's not really a feeling as I am youngmuch as a fact er, but they don't treat me any different," Russell said. "Everyone is really supportive and nice." Russell has many connechis tions to the music world dad, Thomas Russell, is a film professor at Brigham Young University; his brother, Spencer RusseU, has been performing at local venues for years; and his friends, Joshua James and McKay Stevens, just so happen to own a record label. Though all of these relationships are beneficial to his music career, it's not to say that Russell hasn't gained his opportunities in his own right. "Isaac has an amazing voice and he's a great songwriter," said Stevens, his manager. "You don't have to say, 'He's he so good for his age' is good for any age. It just makes it a little better that he's so good and he's only 16." g Over two years of and long hours of recording (five days a week for more than two and a half months) were put in to produce Russell's debut album, full-leng- th ' ' " i ' i. V, 0 S . " 1 J. t mm- li y a - ,r e song-writin- Northplatte Records not your ordinary teen. With a signed, he's already on his way to a career in music. album out and a record deal sical stuff, and mix classical feels with electric guitars and was signed to Stevens's record folk." But between record relabel, Northplatte Records, he was generating a great leases, Russell is keeping busy writing the soundtrack for his response from his audiences, dad's latest film, "Mr. Stevens said. "You could just see the reacplaying a part in Jared Hess's latest film, "Gentlemen tion people were giving him; Broncos," and attending high we knew the record would school. be really supported," Stevens As a junior at Timpanogas said. High School in Orem, Russell Now, "Elizabeth" is for sale on iTunes, Amazon.com, other said he knows he needs to do well in school to have a secure music Web sites and numerfuture. ous local music stores. "Music is really unstable," The album is dedicated to Russell said. "I want my main and named after Russell's mom, who passed away due to priority to be writing music, but I also know how hard it is cancer three years ago. to make it in the music busiMost of the tracks have ness." a folksy, acoustic rock feel, Yet if Russell does eventualbut Russell said he has other ly get the "lucky break" that all things in mind for the future. musicians dream of, he plans "I definitely think the next on staying true to himself. album is going to be a lot dif"Music is such an extension ferent," he said. "Everyone of yourself that if somebody wants to grow and change, doesn't like it, it's not like you and this one won't be as laid can convince them to," Russell back. I want to do more clas If you go RuRu Isaac Russell is pill-leng- th "Elizabeth." And even before Russell Dung-beetle- ," RuRu When: Tonight at 8 Where: Velour Live Music Two artists will bring together their distinct musical perspectives on jazz in a performance at Tahitian Noni on Wednesday. Titled "Journey," the performance is one of Jazz Piano Artists of Utah's "Jazz Piano Conversations Concert" series, an event that is designed to promote jazz piano and artists in Utah communities. The concert will include jazz pianist Deena Winters and jazz guitarist Brand Robinson. Winters, who received a bachelor's in piano performance and pedagogy from Brigham Young University, was trained in classical music but has made the transition to jazz piano in the past 10 years. Her opportunity to take private jazz piano lessons from Juilliard faculty member Ted Rosenthal has opened more doors for Winters, including attendance at a Carnegie Hall musical workshop. Robinson is Winters's son who has had a great deal of experience performing jazz music, despite his young age. Traveling the world for his performances, Robinson has played at Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and the Jazz A Vienne in France, to name a few. Robinson was named one of the outstanding soloists at the state high school jazz festival this year, and has received numerous other awards for his talent. duo See the mother-and-so- n at 7:30 p.m. at the Tahitian Noni Visitor's Center, 333 W. River Park Dr., Provo. Tickets are $6 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased at the door. Gallery, 135 N. University Ave., Provo Also on the bill: The Devil Whale (formerly Palomino), Leslie & the Badgers Tickets: $6 Info: velourlive.com said. "It's just who you are and what you write. You shouldn't have to make it fit into the criteria they want." Russell will be joining Josh- ua James, his record producer, greatest musical influence and friend, on tour in August, where he will play for crowds up and down the West Coast, doing what he's loved since the age of 4. I THE CHARTS g Weekly charts for the nation's recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission. HOT 100 1. Kissed A Girl, Katy Perry 2. Take A Bow, Rihanna 3. Forever, Chris Brown 4. Lollipop, Lil Wayne Featuring Statis Major 5. Viva La Vida, Coldplay |