Mark A. Russo is a freelance jazz trumpet player and music educator in the greater Cleveland area. He is currently the director of bands at Constellation Schools: Parma Community High School and the former Musical Director of the Garfield Heights High School “Music Express” Show Choir Combo. 

 

Mr. Russo is currently promoting his latest project released on Bugles Media; his debut album entitled NEW AFFIRMATION, which features all original compositions and displays some of the extremely talented musicians on the Cleveland Jazz scene. Mr. Russo is the founder of the JAZZ INITIATIVE which is an organization dedicated to the advocacy of jazz education and whose goal is to create a stronger sense of community in Cleveland's Jazz Scene. In addition, he has been an adjudicator and Guest Artist for the Stow-Munroe Falls middle School Jazz Festival and the Green Local Jazz Festival. 

 

As a performer, Mr. Russo has worked for Carnival Cruise Lines and has performed extensively with such local groups as The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Selvaggio's Hedectet Jazz Collective (HJC), The AVENUE from Cleveland Music Group Productions, The Jerry Bruno Orchestra, Afterdark, The Tony Camarado Band, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The DanJo big band, MOJO Generations Big Band, Transportation Boulevard, The Hermit Club Jazz Orchestra, The Swing City Big Band, Sophisticated Swing, Night Bridge and the Dan Zola Orchestra. He has shared the stage with such artists as Ken Peplowski, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Carl Allen, Ingrid Jensen, John Bailey, Marvin Stamm, Allen Vizzutti, Randy Johnston, Wayne Bergeron, and Mike Lee. He has recorded albums as a sideman with Bobby Selvaggio, Jeremey Poparad and Lou Armagno to name a few. Mr. Russo has received recognition for his achievements in jazz winning Kent State University’s Walter Watson Jazz Achievement Award (2001, 2002) and the BGSU Jazz Achievement Award (1998).  

 

He has also studied trumpet and arranging with Todd Davidson, Brad Goode, Jeffery Halsey, Russell Schmidt, Chris Buzzelli, Jack Shantz, Michael Chunn, Dennis Reynolds, Chas Baker, and Paul Ferguson. 

 

Mr. Russo is available for lessons and consultations both in person and via FaceTime or Skype.  Click  the CONTACT button above to set up a time and date. Mr. Russo is also an Austin Custom Brass and Torpedo Bags endorsing artist.