Russ with His Drums
I began jazz drumming in the Mosley High School Jazz Band and then in the Gulf Coast Community College Jazz Band. It was in those bands that I was introduced to the classic big band charts of Miller and Goodman. Once I finished school, I joined what is now the Emerald Coast Fellowship Praise Band. Later I joined the Gulf Jazz Society and met Luke Pinegar who helped form “5 Central”, the band that I’m in currently. We have played at the Jazz by the Bay Festival in St. Andrews as well as the Back Stage Pass Series at the Marina Civic Center. It was through Luke that I met Scooter Ward and discovered a neat friend with a vision for joining ministry with big band music. So now, Miller and Goodman are back and so much more.
Concerts with Cloud 9 Orchestra
07.2.2011…”Let Freedom Swing” featuring Cloud 9 Orchestra (Panama City, FL)
12.22.2011…”Jingle Bell Swing” Benefit Concert for Noah’s Ark Ministry (Panama City Beach, FL)
02.14.2012…“Valentines on Cloud 9” at Bay Banquet Hall (Panama City, FL)
04.20.2012…Relay for Life Benefit Concert at Tommy Oliver Stadium (Panama City, FL)
05.10.2012…Fred Astaire Birthday Party at Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Panama City, FL)
05.19.2012…Studio 415 Grand Opening Ball (Panama City, FL)
07.1.2012…”Let Freedom Swing” featuring Cloud 9 Orchestra (Panama City, FL)
06.08.2013…“HealthFirst CPR Day” at Space Coast Stadium (Melbourne, FL)
