| Joe Russo | |
|---|---|
Joe Russo performing in Madison, Wisconsin, 2006 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 18, 1976 |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Indie rock, jazz fusion |
| Occupations | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Drum kit, percussion, guitar |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Butter Problems |
| Associated acts | Benevento/Russo Duo, Fat Mama, American Babies, Furthur |
| Website | www.beneventorussoduo.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Vintage Slingerland and Ludwig drums, Istanbul cymbals, Takamine guitar | |
Joe Russo (born December 18, 1976) is an American drummer and half of the Benevento/Russo Duo.[1] He plays with a number of other bands, including A Big Yes and a Small No,[2] Fat Mama,[3] Robert Walter's 20th Congress, Danjaboots, Bustle In Your Hedgerow, Electron (a Disco Biscuits side-project), Younger Brother, Shpongle, Tom Hamilton's American Babies,[4] the Trey Anastasio/ Mike Gordon duo, the Gene Ween Band, and Furthur (featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead). He also played with the Shpongle Live Band at 2011 Camp Bisco.[5]
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Russo's drumming is fierce and complex (he has been nicknamed "The Madness" by fans). His Roland SPD-S sampler is often used for electronic drum samples, which play an important role in many of The Duo's compositions, such as "Welcome Red", "Becky", and "My Pet Goat". Two songs appearing on Play Pause Stop, "Memphis" and "Powder", were written by Russo and feature his acoustic guitar playing.
Russo has twice won the New Groove award at the Jammys, in 2000 and 2005. In the summer of 2006 he was the drummer in a collaboration with Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, and Marco Benevento (sometimes referred to as GRAB or Mike & the Italians).
During the fall of 2008, Russo traveled to London to record an album with the band Younger Brother.
In December 2008, Russo joined Ween front man Gene Ween and fellow Bustle in your hedgerow band mates Scott Metzger and Dave Dreiwitz for a short east coast tour with an outfit called the Gene Ween Band. On this tour, Joe played his "house kit," which notably includes a rare 30-inch bass drum purchased off of eBay.
In Fall 2009, Russo joined Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and John Kadlecik (from Dark Star Orchestra) for a Winter tour with the band Furthur. Jay Lane left Furthur in March 2010 to rejoin Primus,[6] and Russo continues to tour with the band as their sole drummer.
On September 17, 2011, Joe married Pooja Raj.