Russell started playing Cornet at the age of eight, while at St Lawrence School in Ramsgate. He was influenced by his Mother and Grandfather who were both Pianists. His earliest
childhood memories are from the age of three, standing beside his Mother while she was playing the Piano Accordion to guests at Christmas time.

Russell joined a local Wind Band along with his Sister, Heather; who was already an
accomplished Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone player and received tuition under Vic Valentine.
His early musical experiences focused on Military Band arrangements and Big Band. 

Russell excelled rapidly and by the age of eleven, was playing Solo Cornet for the Ramsgate and Broadstairs Band; a somewhat unorthodox musical organisation but one which thrived on the enthusiasm of its membership and that made music part of a balanced program of activity for children and adults alike. A year later, Russell was made Principal Cornet and stayed with the Ramsgate and Broadstairs Band until the age of fourteen when he joined the Thanet Concert Military Band as Principal Cornet under the direction of Neville Frazer.

Music has always been of tremendous importance to Russell, indeed during his informative years of learning, he was attending rehearsals with three different bands on five evenings a week plus every weekend as well as during school hours. Russell was always supported by his devoted Father Reg, who encouraged him to work hard to achieve his musical goals. When Russell was not actually playing, he would be hooked up to headphones listening to Big Band, Orchestral and Military Music!

Russell is largely self taught and has achieved his current level of competence through 'doing the hours'. He remembers as a child, watching his friends playing Football outside but making the choice to invest his time more wisely in practice, something which he will be encouraging his daughter Olivia to do when she starts to play Cornet this year, (a great shame that work commitments prevent him from this level of practice now days).

Sadly, when Russell was fifteen, he lost his father and found it so difficult emotionally to
continue playing, that he gave up for eight years. On reflection, Russell's emotional link with music has coloured his whole interpretation and has produced a more 'sensitive' player.
Not a fan of  'RST' here.

In 1998, Russell decided that he was ready to play again and joined the Kent Concert Band under the direction of John Goold. It was as though he had never put the Cornet down and he was soon sitting next to Bridgette, on the front row.

In 1990, Russell was invited to join the Margate Silver Band which had recently been
transformed by the appointment of John Goold as Musical Director. He became closely involved in the administration of the Band and was proud to be appointed Band Treasurer.

Russell has been a key member of both the Margate Silver Band and Cantium Brass and he has contributed towards their many successes from 1990 to the present day. He was part of the Solo Cornet team of Cantium Brass in October 2000 when the Band competed at the London and Southern Counties Brass Band Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and again in
September 2001 when the Band competed in the London and Southern Counties Brass Band Finals in Preston.

He is one of the founding members of Cantium Brass and has remained loyal to the Band since its creation in 1990.

The highlight of Russell's brass band career was participating in the Whit Friday March
Contests in Saddleworth in 1999 where the Band secured second place. An entry into the Navigation Inn Book of Legends ensued; along with our illustrious Solo Euphonium player Dave Carter!