Arthur Russell

Arthur Russell (Oskaloosa, Iowa 1951 - April 4, 1992) was a cellist, composer, and disco artist. Classicially trained on the cello, he studied with Ali Akbar Khan at the Ali Akbar Kaan School in San Fra

Arthur Russell (Oskaloosa, Iowa 1951 - April 4, 1992) was a cellist, composer, and disco artist. Classicially trained on the cello, he studied with Ali Akbar Khan at the Ali Akbar Kaan School in San Franciso in the early 70s. During this time he collaborated with frequently with Allen Ginsberg in performance. In the mid-70s he moved to New York and began study at The Manhattan School of Music. He formed a band from 1975-1979, The Flying Hearts, recorded by John Hammond, which consisted of Arthur (keyboards, vocals), Ernie Brooks (bass, vocals), Larry Saltzman (guitar), and David Van Tieghem (drums, vocals), with a later incarnation in the 80's that included Joyce Bowden (vocals), and Jesse Chamberlin (drums). He also worked with David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garrett List, Frank Pagano, Andy Paley, Lenny Pickett, Steven Hall, Mustafa Ahmed, Jennifer Warnes, Philip Glass, Gary Lucas, Steve D'Aquisto and Peter Zummo.

He collaborated with Elodie Lauten on the song "In the Light of the Miracle" and has been remixed by François Kevorkian ("Go Bang"). His album World of Echo was included as one of Melody Maker's Top Thirty Releases of 1986.