Young harmonica player Russ Green’s journey into the blues is different than those of most musicians. Russ was born in Chicago and grew up on the city’s west side. Although throughout his life he had listened to all types of music, his desire to play wasn’t realized until his adult years. After being discharged from the Army, Russ attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he studied film. It was at this time that his desire to play music began to grow. Like lots of fans of Jimi Hendrix, Russ wanted to be able to re-create the sounds of the man whom he had admired for many years. But being a film student and having all of his money going to these films, he couldn’t afford to buy a guitar. Undaunted by this realization, Russ remembered the purchase of a harmonica from a west side shop a few years earlier. The ability to re-create the sounds of Hendrix was becoming realized, not with a guitar, but with a harmonica! Russ moved to Seattle where every waking moment was spent concentrating on playing the harmonica. There was always a harmonica shoved in his mouth, whether he was sitting on his couch, walking down the street, or driving his stick shift pick-up truck. He also spent seven nights in Blues jamming or sitting in. On a Christmas visit back home to Chicago, friends invited him to go to Rosa’s Blues Lounge where Sugar Blue was playing. This provided Russ the opportunity to meet the man whose music had captured his attention, the man who was already being called the “Jimi Hendrix of the harmonica”. After this meeting Russ began thinking about returning to Chicago to take advantage of this newly formed friendship. It took a year and half, but he returned to Chicago to continue his journey into the world of Blues. Since returning to Chicago, Russ’ career in music has continued to grow. Not only did he have the opportunity to be influenced by Sugar Blue, but also from legendary harmonica player Billy Branch. He has also shared the stage with the likes of Buddy Guy, John Primer, Sammy Fender, Dave Myers and many others. He is also one of the harmonica players featured on a CD that has received rave reviews and has been played on radio stations around the world, the Chicago Blues Harmonica Project. This recording has been credited with proving that the harmonica is still alive and vibrant in Chicago. Russ has played in a number of Blues festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Burnley Mechanics Blues festival in England, and the San Francisco Blues Festival, where his was called the standout performance of the festival. He has also been featured on the BBC on the Paul Jones Blues Hour. At this point the journey for Russ Green has just begun! “Russ Green is part of a younger generation of talented bluesmen” Eric Steiner Cosmik Debris, “Russ Green hands in masterful performances” Temple of Blues Forum, “especially impressive is Russ Green” The Wichita Blues Society! www.russgreenblues.com www.myspace.com/pghost6