Drummer/Vocalist/Groovemaster
Russell A. Worrell (a Native New Yorker, Jamaica Queens), was born February 22nd. Russell began playing the drums at the age of 6. At age 11, his mom enrolled him at The Long Island Institute of Music, where he studied under Mitchell Cohen, a great jazz drummer in his own right. As a youngster, Russell co-formed & played with "Me & My Friends", which was one of the popular bands out of the Jamaica Queens area. It was with this experience that he was surprisingly introduced to his own singing voice. As the son of legend drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Russell also spent those early years, along with his mom & sisters touring with King Curtis & Aretha Franklin & even sitting in at the Filmore West show in Detroit at the age of 15. Russell became a studio rat, hanging out with (Dad) Purdie at the various studio sessions:{Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Aretha, Grady Tate, Steely Dan, Etc.}, while listening, learning & absorbing the approach to the drumkit, as it applies to groove, technique, keeping time, & playing with dynamics. His first professional gig came at the age of 15. Since then, Russell has applied his style of groove drumming in studio and live situations for over 30 years.

Groovemaster Russell A. Worrell's other web pages:
http://www.reverbnation.com/russellaworrell
http://www.youtube.com/thegroovemaster22

"My first concert was Earth, Wind & Fire Live! @ Madison Square Garden, NYC in !975.
The most memorable thing about that experience, was that it was the first time that I had EVER heard a band that sounded so tight vocally & musically! Everytime our band did copies of E,W&F tracks, you KNEW that you had to play & sing ALL of the parts or you just didn't bother with it, because everyone would be listening to see if you got the parts correct! There was a certain sense of pride that you had when you learned an E,W& F song successfully! Maurice & company have, and will continue to inspire musicians with their great music & spirituality for years to come!"

Russel A. Worrelll uses: Pearl drums: Sabian Cymbals: Evans Heads: Vic Firth Sticks: Rute 505 Vinyl Brushes(Vic Firth) "Flix" Vinyl Brushes & Shure Microphones.

"I'm already psyched with the awsome talent on this site!"

Influences: Clyde Stubblefield, Bernard Purdie (Dad), Harvey Mason, David Garibaldi, John "JR" Robinson, Steve Gadd, Steve Ferrone, Steve Jordan, Jeff Porcaro (R.I.P.), Tony Williams (R.I.P.), Lenny White, Bill Cobham, Paul Wertico & Antonio Sanchez.

Russell A. Worrell works with Singer/Songwritter SDoun Serrano & is a freelance Drummer/Vocalist. My style of drumming can be applied to all genres of music. I play live shows & recording sessions.

"Jeff Lorber: His smooth jazz/fusion style is very rhythmic, syncopated & fits my style of drumming perfectly. Whenever I listen to his music for the first time, I can ALWAYS tell where he's going next within the course of the track. His way of "musical thinking" is phenominal & so precise! Hopefully one day I will get the opportunity to work with Jeff."

"My most memorable performance was jamming with Aretha's band @ the Filmore West at the age of 15. Dad {Purdie} was working with her and slid me in on the drums during the opening warm-up. It was incredible because the transition from him to me playing was so smooth, the band hadn't realized that we switched! The arena was packed & everyone was feeling the groove...just an awsome experience that i will NEVER forget...thanks Dad!!!
The largest audience would be The Filmore West & the smallest audience would be at the Canal Room, NYC."

Wow...tough question! On a desert island, only able to have one album...my choice would probably be Herbie Hancock's Headhunters project. Drummer Harvey Mason has been my biggest influence as a result of his work from that album, and that killer groove from Grover Washington Jr's "Mister Magic.I first heard the record upon it's release in 1973 and immediately ate, drank & slept those syncopated grooves and techniques that only Harvey can apply! To this day, i NEVER get tired of listening to the Headhunters project & will not hesitate to use Harvey's influence in my approach to the drumkit as it applies to my style of playing.