Charles Ellsworth Russell, much better known by his nickname Pee Wee Russell, (27 March 1906 – 15 February 1969) was a jazz musician. Early in his career he played clarinet and saxophones, but eventually focused solely on clarinet.
With a highly individualistic and spontaneous clarinet style that "defied classification," Russell began his career playing Dixieland jazz, but throughout his career incorporated elements of newer developments such as swing, be-bop and free jazz. In the words of Philip Larkin, "No one familiar with the characteristic excitement of his solos, their lurid, snuffling, asthmatic voicelessness, notes leant on till they split, and sudden passionate intensities, could deny the uniqueness of his contribution to jazz.'
Read more about Pee Wee Russell: Early Life, Career, Awards & Honors
Famous quotes containing the words pee, wee and/or russell:
“what if Im 60 years old and not married,
all alone in a furnished room with pee stains on my underwear
and everybody else is married!”
—Gregory Corso (b. 1930)
“Sudden the wee Elf
Smiled a wee smile,
Tugged till the toadstool
Toppled in two.
Holding it over him
Gaily he flew.”
—Oliver Herford (18631935)
“How like a prodigal doth nature seem,
When thou, for all thy gold, so common art!
Thou teachest me to deem
More sacredly of every human heart,
Since each reflects in joy its scanty gleam
Of Heaven, and could some wondrous secret show,
Did we but pay the love we owe,
And with a childs undoubting wisdom look
On all these living pages of Gods book.”
—James Russell Lowell (18191891)