George W. Russell Jr. & Company

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, George W. Russell Jr. is a performer, composer, and educator. 

Russell currently serves as chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department at Berklee College of Music. Prior to that, he served as a professor of harmony and piano. He has been awarded the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching, along with the Curriculum Development Award. He has also been recognized with the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award. Russell’s motto is: “I would rather inspire than require.” 

Russell’s performances range from solo piano to a groove-oriented jazz trio to a soulful, fresh-sounding larger ensemble that arouses the listener's intellect and, most importantly, touches their soul. His playing is filled with passion, fire, soul, and spirit.

Russell has performed with Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Ernie Isley, Walter Beasley, Cecil McBee, Semenya McCord, Bob Moses, Tiger Okoshi, Billy Pierce, Richard Smallwood, and Lenny White.

Russell's most recent recording, Reimagined, is a powerful collection that reinterprets timeless spirituals and hymns through Russell’s musical lens. Blending gospel, blues, and jazz in a way that will uplift your spirit and resonate deeply with your soul, the recording features Donna McElroy, Debo Ray, Lydia Harrell, Denise Carite, Emily Russell, Wes Wirth, Sean Skeete, Michael Russell, Ricardo Monzon, Greg Groover, George W. Russell Sr., and George W. Russell III

Russell's other recordings include: My Big Family Suite, Self-titled, The Pianist & The Poet, Sandra Dowe & The George W. Russell, Jr. Trio, Schlickness, Worship in the Style of "G", Communion, Vol. II, Hymns Plus, Communion, Vol. I, and Jesus Is the Cure.

George W. Russell Jr. & Company will be performing as part of Berklee’s Summer in the City 2026 concert series. View series schedule.