Russell Malone - Learning from The Masters

IRockJazz.com IRockJazz caught Russell Malone recently in Chicago, where he discussed learning from the greats, who were his mentors, including Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell, among others.

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

"anytime you try to prove anything to anybody, then the music isn't honest" that hit me

[@CrisFerrerYT]

So true!! I’ve realized we must be honest to ourselves in order to really communicate w the audience and feel what we’re doing.

[@RonCarterBassist]

Wise words from a wonderful musician.

[@ukestudio3002]

Live authentic, be authentic..the feedback will teach you .

[@TheKayPitt]

"And he kicked my behind from Genesis to Revelations" Hahahaha oh man...how many times have I had that feeling and he sums it up perfectly. He's fantastic

[@lachlanmaclean6506]

i could listen to these stories all day

[@Guitfiddlejase]

You said it man!!

[@mike.overly]

Me too!

[@hawkrider88]

My son and I just ran into Russell a couple of weeks ago in NYC. Great player, great student of the instrument and great interview. Thanks for posting!

[@bobreynolds]

Brilliant.

[@inigofustermusica7594]

Nice to see you here Bob, love your content.

[@billwhitton500]

superb stories from Russell Malone here.....just love his humility & honesty....... a man who has a great love & respect for the masters.....Kenny Burrell is a treasure of the music world.......

[@guitargod6997]

Great interview with a master guitarist and musician! As others have noted, what is so remarkable about Russell is his honesty, humility, and his intelligent insights into his mentors and comrades at the genius level. His humanity just shines through. The mark of his own genius.

[@RonCarterBassist]

He is a delight to collaborate with, truly.

[@guitargod6997]

@@RonCarterBassist It is an honor to exchange with one of the legends in jazz history! Much respect and well wishes. The great ones have an aura . You and Russell certainly do.

[@clintoncrawford2063]

I totally love this story from Russell. I think that through his experience others (including myself) can learn a lot and not make those stupid mistakes. I,m glad I saw this.

[@JackOrion0670]

It's always struck me that playing music was like playing sports. Everyone wants to prove themselves and there are endless dues to pay. This is a fantastic vid posting, thanks you for putting it up.

[@MrBobrguitar]

Mr. Malone, you honesty and candor are much appreciated! It is clear, by your playing/musicianship today that these lessons have been well learned - love your playing!

[@IMCOnAir]

moments in life a student of music is really learning from... its such situations as Russell describes.... to get in touch with great masters in the right moment to learn the urgent lessons to progress... tks for this interview. :-)

[@chowchichang2922]

What a beautiful jazz anecdote about the Great Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell .... lives these stories . Thanks for sharing

[@morrumband]

One of THE best musicians to ever live right there.

[@mikjazz]

A very talented and wise player.

[@bassmanx357]

Beautiful lessons. Thank you.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

It's always a pleasure to hear you play, Russel, and stories like this should strike a nerve for all of us. Thank you.

[@petercicco4360]

Beautiful truth. These kind of stories are such life lessons. Thanks so much.

[@DizzyKrissi]

Sometimes a good advice with a portion of wisdom is the best way to start a day and get motivated.

[@Cymbalgroove]

Russell is a great cat! Great memory. He always come and sits in with us when he comes to town. Always fun.

[@percyfacundo1380]

Wow! Priceless life lessons. Thank you, Mr. Malone!

[@nancychace8619]

Wonderful stories ~ he's earned my respect, not just because he's an extraordinary player, but because he's an extraordinary human being.

[@davidchappell8407]

Thank you for your stories !!

[@michaelchapman4955]

'Great share, Russell Malone... There was an old LA Jazz Club on Washington Blvd & La Brea Ave, the 'Parisian Room' where Kenny Burrell, Dinah Washington, Sam Fletcher, Dakota Staton, Ernie Andrews, Hank Crawford & So many Jazz greats would gig for yrs & sometimes Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, or Nipsey Russell, etc... would warm up the audience & open the Show & Jimmy Smith's Jazz Club on Victory Blvd & Coldwater Canyon in North Hollywood in the 70s was a Kick!...... often Jam-packed come Fri & Sat evening

[@lungflogger9]

The Kenny Burrell anecdote was great to hear. I do a lot of performing and I learned a long time ago that my job is to engage and entertain, not show off. So refreshing to hear that in this ear of shredding and "guitar face", etc.....

[@2hardbackrub743]

Oh man what a gem from Kenny! Great anecdotes from Mr. Malone!

[@MichelBENEBIG]

Yes !, great interview Russell !..I mett the 'master' ( Jimmy Smith ) back in 1996 at old 'Yoshi's Jazz Club' Oakland Cal. My good friend Pete Fallico introduced me to Jimmy and Lola his wonderful wife !.. I'll never forget that night !!... I also mett and spent some time with Jimmy Mc Griff during a tour in Atlanta ( Rome ) back in 1995..Great, great expérience !... Michel

[@mesolithicman164]

What a great guy.

[@twangbarfly]

Words of wisdom and great integrit,y coming on here and talking about getting his backside kicked by Jimmy Smith. I have to say that he and Jimmy kicked my backside big style the first time I heard the great DotCom Blues album by Jimmy. Very touching story about Wes and Jimmy. Great post - thank you!

[@rlbutterworth]

I worked at Walter Mitty's Jazz Club in Atlanta during the mid-80s, where Russell performed frequently. It was such a delight to watch him perform, as it was obvious he was headed for greatness.

[@roywillis2750]

So interesting. Thanks for posting.

[@Phoenixspin]

Excellent interview.

[@shiritzhaki5333]

One of my favourite videos ever

[@MarvinSheats]

What a powerful lesson/education from Mr. Malone.

[@MikePensini]

Great interview!

[@RussellRodgers]

Hey Russell, Great and inspirational! Thanks for sharing. Russ Rodgers

[@wms2playmusic]

It dont get better then that. Thank You, Russell

[@socarrol]

Great Interview Russell!!

[@ES175jazz]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing Russell!

[@PatrickEPM]

Great interview, great stories!

[@henrygarciga]

Love this guy who teams up with Benny Green on the most tasteful jazz set in my collection .

[@s2sadewe]

Incredible lesson; not just in music, but in Life. He is a master, that's for sure.

[@gilesjazzguitar64]

Love this guy

[@tomkozic8505]

Great stories!

[@JulianFernandez]

so good. thanks!

[@hoffy1003]

What a cool interview.

[@robbromhead7098]

Loved the end of this! Yeah, whatever level you are playing at, it has to be honest, not your ego. That's not how you make music. Thanks!

[@travelingman9763]

You're right and that's one reason Real Jazz has almost been destroyed! Lick players copying out of books and using software.

[@eundoparkmusic]

a master talking about learning from the masters

[@mikeanderson8601]

Great stories.

[@NeilRaouf]

that was a hell of a lesson

[@Khamomil]

Excellent advice from the masters!

[@haroldbranch7971]

wow... all about the music.. yes sir. I remember listening to Jimmy Smith recordings with Kenny Burrell. Jimmy could take a 5 minute solo. Kenny kept the groove strong and Jimmy always had new places to go soloing

[@shadowgod7523]

Wowwww!

[@4444funky]

Touchin stuff

[@vanrozay8871]

enjoying Russell's stories and thinking. thanks. imagine playing "laura' when you don't know the tune, and without a chart; ouch!

[@dlreed70s1]

thank you.

[@zackwhite1]

excellent

[@normlove4460]

Hey Russell! Beautiful man!!

[@Guitfiddlejase]

...just goes to show that there is always something to learned--no matter what.

[@rclere1]

Thanks Russell

[@jarrilaurila]

What a story!

[@kimdayne2012]

wisdom comes quite unexpectedly

[@deniaridley]

+Bronx Bred Very well said.

[@SteveCournane]

Enjoyed that a lot..

[@tewbaguy]

Right on

[@sclogse1]

He mentions Trudy Pitts. Martino is on one of her albums...Trudy was an organ player..

[@faffytron]

Hell yes !

[@Darrell1019]

Your daughter has met all those good Jazz music lovers? That's wonderful! I hope that your little girl was positivlely impacted by such meetings. As for some of your state's citizens, some were msot warm and inviting. I was invited into their homes on Sundays and other days, and had fine, memorable times! Then there were the "flip side citizens". However as a wise man once told me, "let the good make-up for the bad", with that said the negatives owe their neighbors too much too repay!

[@rocklee33333]

Wow!!

[@chriskalafus3282]

Gospel truth right there.

[@deeliciousplum]

Wonderful and enlightening interview. Thanks for sharing this vid.

[@MrCopperthwaite]

What a nice bloke

[@Plus1Lite]

wow!

[@JimStandley]

In addition to being a brilliantly talented musician, he is extremely wise. I learned a lot from listening to Russell Malone.

[@jasonjulius1262]

Awesome.......oh man...

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

And we all Learn...

[@xXTiberiusXx]

gold

[@headbandbybrianlundeen3132]

WoW

[@ddaymedia]

Truth Speak!

[@xawki]

Goldddd

[@JacobSilj]

What a cool story

[@manguera9]

i heard the song Laura by Johnny Mercer in the 70 , of course if you never heard it ,and the piano player is doing chords substitutes is hard to improvise, the strange thing is as a guitar player ,i learned more improvisation listening Jimmy Smith solos, I am stunned by this story, so Jimmy is coming from the hard old school of musicians.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Laura. My favorite

[@GellertSzaboMusic]

whats the last name he mentions at 4:45... anyone?

[@kevinmiller124]

Gellert S Thornel Schwartz

[@bryanalfonso5700]

Russell - You're going to tell us a story about some wisdom Kenny Burrell passed on to you? Well then, no need to be brief. Please, give us all the details.

[@farshimelt]

He did, go back and listen.

[@Darrell1019]

Jazz lover in "washington state"? Oh come now!

[@farshimelt]

Not only lovers but players.

[@12tonemusic]

... from Genesis to Revelations! haHahAha

[@mrkneel5760]

“Jimmy Smith is my man I want give I’ve him a pound. I kick it Root Down!” MCA - Beastie Boys

[@cjgreen4331]

Russell Malone is funny

[@trottheblackdog]

OK guys, we have to go learn Laura

[@Mooser42001]

I thought it was pretty much a standard.

[@farshimelt]

unless you don't know it. There are hundreds of "standards" and non knows them all. Well, maybe Sonny Rollins.

[@CharmsJr94]

So anyways

[@manguera9]

Kenny Burrell said to Russell ,anytime you wanted to prove something, you dont prove nothing, the music is not honest, maybe Kenny was saying " make a hit record"..cause records are forever and will prove how good you are or were after years..

[@otakurocklee]

How can a player be expected to play a tune he doesn't know?

[@deniaridley]

+otakurocklee That's the point. As a jazz musician you should know a standard such as "Laura" (in all the keys the masters would say). As a musician in general, you sit out a tune you don't know. His was a lesson in hubris.

[@otakurocklee]

+denia Nobody knows all the standards. It didn't sound like he had the option of sitting out the tune.

[@deniaridley]

+otakurocklee Of course I agree that no one knows all the standards. And normally if you ask someone to sit in, you'd ask them what tune they'd like to play. This was a unique occasion and Jimmy was trying to teach him a lesson. I was just speaking in general.

[@TonyfromBham]

The great players (like Russell) can hear the intervals as they come. That's the difference between the semi-pros and the big-time pros.

[@travelingman9763]

Not all the time! He said Laura was a tune you can't just hear the changes. Jimmy Smith did the same to me. Played the same tune and I didn't know it! I wanted to run away through the wall!

[@crakhead1011]

anytime you're trying to prove anything to somebody, the music isn't honest? ok cool

[@PhilEmanS]

verdammte koketterie, alte schuddel geh nach hause alle üben!

[@Darrell1019]

"Dear Miss" Kandie, Of course you're NOT a JazzLover BeCause you're of "washington state"! I was stationed in Bremerton for awhile and fell in love with your form of "Mayberry U.S.A.". No you're NOT a JazzLover for you washingtonians are just not that sofisticated.

[@farshimelt]

I guess you missed the yearly Jazz festival led by Bud Shank.

[@elhombresfbay]

Russell didn’t learn anything he still has a big ego😝

[@ayoungethan]

How so?

[@farshimelt]

and you is a fool.

[@Ampdriver]

And He Deserved To. Who Are You?