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Russell is the second son and fourth child of 11 children. He discovered his natural ability to play music at an early age. His initial interest was sparked by his father who plays the guitar. As an adolescent, he would emulate his father by using rice boxes and rubber bands to make guitars. His brothers would also adopt this craft and they would make music together. After a while, Russell began to sneak and play his father’s guitar when he was away. By age 8, Russell was playing the guitar at his father’s church. In addition, he developed adequate skills to become the church drummer, that is until his younger brother Everett got a little bit older. When Russell was given the opportunity to choose a wind instrument at school, he was denied the saxophone because other students had selected them first. As a result, he got some experience on the trumpet, French horn, clarinet and flute. As time went on, Russell never lost his desire to play the saxophone. He gained even more interest when he would periodically hear gospel saxophonist, Rosie Haynes of St. Louis. While waiting to play the sax, Russ continued on with the guitar at his father‘s church and as a member of a local band called the “Electrified Souls“. One of his fondest memories as a guitarist was accompanying the “Mighty Clouds of Joy” when they came to his hometown of St. Louis. Years later, as a young man out of school and working, Russell finally purchased a saxophone. He quickly became a self-taught proficient sax player, being requested for weddings, parties and countless church programs, In 2001 he suggested to Ken and Everett that they start the band 3 Central. Russell sites several great saxophonist as being influential to his style including, Grover Washington Jr., Kirk Whalum, Richard Elliot and Kenny G. He thanks St. Louis native sax players, Jeff Anderson and Phil Sykes for the knowledge they have shared with him over the years. Most of all, he thanks God for his musical gifts.