Dr. Russell is one of San Luis Obispo’s musical luminaries. His works include the acclaimed Concierto Romantico, Rhapsody for Horn and Orchestra; Middle Earth; Gate City, and Ecos Armonicos. Dr. Russell brings humor and delight to every project

“As a composer, Russell has received wide praise and recognition for his work. His textures, melodies, harmonies and orchestrations are often described as Coplandesque, frequently evoking the many cultural influences of American life. He has worked closely with the acclaimed vocal group Chanticleer, including the production of two CDs, Mexican Baroque (nominated for a Grammy Award and Chanticleers No. 1 selling CD) and Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe. Russell reconstructed the music of these recordings from musical shreds of evidence in Mexican and California archives, assisted at rehearsals, wrote the liner notes and collaborated throughout the recording process.”

A collaboration with Chanticleer gave birth to a DVD and film, “Mission Road” — often broadcast on PBS — and four CDs, including: “Mexican Baroque,” which was nominated for a Gramophone Award; “Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe; Our American Journey,” nominated for a Grammy Award; and the CD titled “Mission Road.”

Dr. Russell is the author of a two-volume book, Santiago de Murcia’s “Codice Saldivar No.4”: A Treasury of Secular Guitar Music From Baroque Mexico which was published in the summer of 1995 by the University of Illinois Press, and “From Serra to Sancho: Music and Pagentry in the California Missions,” released in summer 2009 by Oxford University Press.