Curly Russell

Dillon 'Curly' Russell was a foundational bebop bassist whose impeccable time and harmonic ingenuity made him one of the most in-demand players of the 1940s and 50s. Born in Trinidad and raised in New York, he became the bassist of choice for the architects of modern jazz, including *Charlie Parker*, *Dizzy Gillespie*, and *Thelonious Monk*. His work with the *Tadd Dameron Sextet* and on seminal recordings for labels like #Blue Note# and #Savoy# helped define the modern role of the bass in a small group setting. He appeared on landmark sessions such as *Art Blakey's* 'A Night at Birdland' and was known for his ability to navigate the rapid tempos that characterized the bebop era.