“His musicianship and timing were extraordinary...”
— Joe Watts, Houston Montrose Voice

Bio

 “Inventive”, and “an uncanny combination of power, drive, and delicate touch”, is how David Berkowitz of CBS Records describes the talent of drummer/percussionist Russ Gold. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, and Asia., performing with jazz, rock, fusion, and theater groups. “His musicianship and timing were extraordinary”, wrote Joe Watts of the Montrose Voice in Houston, acclaiming Russ’ performance as solo multipercussionist with the American Repertory Theater. Russ’ performing experience includes work with musicians as diverse as Gary Lyons (producer of Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead) Johnny Colla of Huey Lewis and the News, Seth Justman of the J. Giles Band, CBS Fusion artists Full Circle, and jazz greats Tom Scott, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Dave Douglas, and Howard Johnson.

    During his tenure with Full Circle, the band won “Best Jazz Group” at the San Sebastian Jazz Festival, and garnered Boston Music Awards “Best Jazz Record on a Major Label”.

    His talent has also been recognized by endorsements of Sabian cymbals, Pro-Mark sticks, Fishman transducers, and Kurzweil synthesizers.

Notable

 

Theater:

  • “‘Aint to Proud”- Golden Gate Theater, SF and Safe Center Sacramento

  • “Mean Girls”- Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco

  • “Moulin Rouge” The Orpheum, San Francisco

  • "Vegas Nocturne"- Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas

  • “Jersey Boys”- First National Tour of US

  • “Wicked”- San Francisco, Sacramento

  • “Rent”- Performed for both the stage play and the movie

  • “The King Stag”- (Julie Taymor creation) World tour including: Russia, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, England, and Japan.

  • “West Side Story”- 6 Month tour throughout Germany

Awards:

  • “Best Jazz Group” (Full Circle)- San Sebastian Jazz Festival

  • “Best Jazz Record on a Major Label”- (Full Circle) Boston Music Awards

  • Grammy© Nomination- “Points of View”  (Nando Lauria)

  • Grammy© Nomination- “Meet Me Anywhere” (Natraj)

  • Buddy Rich “Jazz Masters” Award, Berklee College of Music

Festivals:

  • Montreaux Jazz Festival

  • Monterey Jazz Festival

  • North Sea Jazz Festival

  • First National Jazz Festival Acra, Ghana

  • Bermuda Jazz Fest

  • San Sebastian Jazz Fest

  • Mitsui Theater Festival, Tokyo

  • Venice Bianalle, Venice Italy

  • Checkov International Theater Festival Moscow, Russia

Education:

Performed with:

George Coleman, Sam Rivers, Mick Goodrick, Miroslav Vitous, Tom Scott, Glen Velez, Johnny Colla, Huey Lewis, Boz Scaggs, Seth Justman, Magic Dick, Dan Zinn, Julie Homi, Barry Finnerty, Debbie Gibson, Christian Tamburr, Dave Douglas, Howard Johnson, Stu Hamm, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Rapp, Julie Taymor, Elliott Goldenthal, Mike Jones, Steve Casanelli, Christine Andreas, Franc D' Ambrosio, Susan Sontag.