Curley Russell

Dillon "Curley" Russell was born March 19, 1917, in Trinidad, and died July 03, 1986, in New York City, New York. was an American jazz double-bassist on many of the most significant bebop recordings in jazz history.

Nicknamed "Curley" for his curly hair, he became a highly sought-after sideman during the height of the bebop era. He was particularly in demand for his rare ability to maintain precision at the rapid tempos characteristic of the genre, leading to his inclusion in several seminal sessions of the period.

A prominent member of the Tadd Dameron Sextet, Russell’s technical prowess is immortalised on the May 1, 1951, recording of Bud Powell’s "Un Poco Loco" alongside drummer Max Roach. This specific performance was later cited by literary critic Harold Bloom as one of the greatest works of twentieth-century American art. Beyond his studio contributions, Russell’s personal life famously intersected with jazz lore; according to historian Phil Schaap, the classic bebop tune "Donna Lee" was named after Russell’s daughter.

In the late 1950s, Russell transitioned to playing club dates in the Catskills before largely moving into non-musical professions by 1966. He passed away from emphysema at Queens General Hospital on July 3, 1986, at the age of 69. In 2002, his daughter Donna Lee furthered his musical legacy by donating his bass to the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.

As sideman:

• Charlie Parker: Memorial Vol. 1 (Savoy, 1947); Memorial Vol. 2 (Savoy 1947–48)

• Bud Powell: Jazz Giant (Verve, 1950)

• Miles Davis: The Real Birth of the Cool (Bandstand, 1948)

• Stan Getz: Early Stan (OJC, 1949–53)

• Milt Jackson: Roll 'Em Bags (Savoy, 1949–56)

• Dexter Gordon: Dexter Rides Again (Savoy, 1950)

• Bud Powell: The Amazing Bud Powell (Blue Note, 1951–53)

• Coleman Hawkins: Disorder at the Border (Spotlite, 1952 [1973])

• Al Cohn: Al Cohn's Tones (Savoy, 1953 [1956])

• Horace Silver: Horace Silver Trio (Blue Note, 1953)

• Art Blakey: A Night at Birdland Vol. 2 (Blue Note, 1954)