About
Influential jazz artist who was one of the first to propose a theory of harmony for general music that was rooted not in European technique, but in jazz.
Before Fame
He was a member of the Collegians at Wilberforce University, from which such greats as Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, and Benny Carter sprung.
Trivia
He was nominated for two Grammys in 1985 thanks to his 45-minute opus The African Game, which was called "one of the most important new releases of the past several decades" by one critic.
Family Life
He was adopted by nurse Bessie Russell and music educator and B&O Railroad chef Joseph Russell.
Associated With
He sang Fats Waller's Moon Over Miami for his stage debut when he was seven.
