About Russell

Baltimore City
Saxophonist/Composer Russell Kirk is a distinguished musician, an innovative force in
the industry who offers a fresh approach that is both evocative and richly balanced. His
expressive musical style punctuates his nuanced compositions, and nowhere is it more
evident than in his latest release “To Journal Square”.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Russell received his undergraduate degree from Johns
Hopkins University, Peabody Institute. Following graduation… more

To Journal Square

Saxophonist Russell Kirk delivers an ambitious second album with the release of To Journal Square, and in it he demonstrates the type of musical versatility that master musician Greg Osby looks for when adding artists to his label Inner Circle Music, of which he is now a part.

Russell’s stylish compositions are complex but never over the top. Reminiscent of classic 80’s fusion, his layered Path Suite composition for example, perfectly captures the mood and texture that bespeaks big city life, in four movements, and pays tribute to one of New Jersey’s busiest hubs.

Russell teams with several uniquely gifted artists including the incomparable singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell who adds her honey soaked voice to Waiting Patiently and local, Baltimore hipster/poet, impresario Eze Jackson, who melds with distinction on the funk inspired Circling and on Who’s in Control.

The pedigree ensemble that joins Kirk on this musical journey, adds lyrical balance to each track and Kirk unselfishly allows them to shine. Among them are Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer/composer Terri Lyne Carrington, fusion guitarist Wayne Krantz, concert & film composer Jacob Yoffee on tenor Saxophone, the extraordinary Dontae Winslow on trumpet/vocals and Cuban export, award-winning keyboardist Aruán Ortiz.

This native son of Baltimore, Maryland – educated at Johns Hopkins University, Peabody Institute, has been developing his lush sound for years, playing with everyone from The Cab Calloway Orchestra to Parliament Funkadelic. His is a fluid sound, strong and sensual is best articulated on The Path Suite No. 2. But throughout this surprisingly bold new album, Kirk shows himself to be a master technician who is always in control - quiet when he has to be and assertive when he needs to be.
  • Who's in Control?
  • The making of To Journal Square
  • The Path Suite No. 4, Newark Ave.
    To Journal Square, track 7
  • Waiting Patiently
    To Journal Square, track 5
  • The Path Suite No. 3, Altered State
    To Journal Square, track 4
  • The Path Suite No. 2, Closing In
    To Journal Square, track 3

Black and White

Russell Kirk's first album as leader, recorded at NPR studios.

Russell Kirk - Alto Saxophone
Felicia Carter - Vocals (tracks 1 and 2)
Todd Marcus - Bass Clarinet
Harry Appelman - Piano
Kris Funn - Bass
Howard Curtis - Drums (tracks 1-6)
Kush Abady - (tracks 7 and 8)
  • Black & White
    Featuring Felicia Carter on Vocals
  • album-cover-bw.jpg
    album-cover-bw.jpg
  • Novus
  • Rhythm-A-Ning
    Composed by Thelonius Monk
  • The Souk
  • Beatrice
    Composed by Sam Rivers
  • Kandahar
  • Chelsea Bridge
    Composed by Billy Strayhorn
  • I Hear A Rhapsody
    Composed by Fragos-Baker-Gsparre
  • Houses Boarded Up (In Baltimore)

Russell Kirk & The Path LIVE

Russell Kirk & The Path is a collaboration of like minded musicians, with similar paths, that offer a distinctly modern style while retaining the romantic sentiments of the American songbook.  presentations range in size  however the performance, as in the original compositions, are consistently sincere and provocative – a perfect confluence of old and new. The path has been performing since 2010 and has been featured at several major jazz festivals/venues.
  • Russell Kirk & The Path @ Cornelia St. Greenwich Village NYC
    Cornelia St. Cafe was voted: Top Five Jazz Venues in NYC, jazz venue of the year. -All About Jazz NY 20 great jazz clubs of the world -Downbeat Mag.
  • Altered State Live
    Russell Kirk & The Path perform Russell's original composition "The Altered State". Russell gives a brief account of how the tune took shape. featuring: Todd Marcus Bass Clarinet Kevin Clark Guitar Blake Meister Bass Byung Kang Drums