Kelly Russell Biography

A multi-instrumentalist, record producer, music teacher, and ethnomusicologist, Kelly Russell has helped to bring the music of Newfoundland to the international stage. A founding member of Figgy Duff, Russell has gone on to perform with the Wonderful Grand Band, a group that combined traditional folk music and comedy, the Plankerdown Band and its offshoot, the Planks. Russell has also toured with late fiddlers Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit and a trio, Russell, Joyce, and O’Byrne that he shared with Jin Joyce and ex-Ryan’s Fancy member Fergus O’Byrne. His production company, Pigeon Inlet Productions, which he launched in 1979, has released more than 30 albums of traditional Newfoundlandian music. Russell inherited his creative talents from his late father, Ted Russell, who co-wrote the children’s anthology, The Chronicles of Uncle Mose — Tales From Pigeon Inlet. Together with Guinchard and Jim Payne, he recorded the theme song and incidental music for a 15 show television series based on his father’s book. In 1982, he authored a book, Rufus Guinchard — The Man and His Music, which included transcriptions of 60 of Guichard’s fiddle tunes. As a member of Figgy Duff, Russell took a modern approach to the traditional music of Newfoundland. He left and returned to the band on numerous instances. His stints with the band came from 1975 until 1977, 1984 until 1987, and 1989 until 1992. He produced their 1990 album, Weather out the Storm. Russell initially attracted attention, in 1974, as a member of a British and Irish folk-rock cover band, Rakish Paddy. He joined Figgy Duff shortly afterwards. During his first hiatus from Figgy Duff, Russell was involved with a variety of projects. Between 1978 and 1980, he performed with the Wonderful Grand Band. Together with the band, he appeared on CBC-TV series, The Root Seller and recorded an album, Wonderful Grand Band, in 1978. Russell also became a resident musician for CBC-TV and a featured soloist, along with Ray Walsh and John White, for the series Come All Ye. In 1992, Russell collaborated with Peter Gardner and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra on a fiddle concerto that they performed for CBC Radio, two Arts Council Awards shows and a gala hosted by the late Governor General. Russell has been on the cutting edge of Newfoundland’s recording industry for more than two decades. He produced the province’s first CD, All the Best: Folk Music of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Another Time, which featured modern arrangements of traditional Newfoundlandian folk songs. From 1993 until 1994, Russell performed with the Plankerdown Band. The group’s sole album, The Jig Is Up, released in 1993, was included on a Top 25 list compiled by CBC Radio’s nationally-broadcast folk music show, Roots & Wings. In 1995, Russell joined with Plankerdown Band-mates Frank Maher and Adam Staple and members of Staple’s other band, Drive, to form the Planks.