Kelly Russell - Newfoundland Fiddler

Owner of Nfld. Music Label Pigeon Inlet Productions 
Producer of CD & Cassettes of Newfoundland Music 
Organizer of Newfoundland Cultural Events
Traditional Nfld. Fiddle Music Teacher
Cultural Presentations in Nfld. Schools
Former Member of Newfoundland Band The Planks
Former Member of Newfoundland Band Bristol's Hope
The Pigeon Inlet Newfoundland Folklore Archive
New : 2 Books of Nfld Fiddle Music - Kelly Russell's Collection

Send email to Kelly Russell
To the Pigeon Inlet Homepage 

Kelly Russell : A Brief Biography

Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in June of 1956, Kelly Russell has been a professional musician since 1974. An original member of such landmark Newfoundland Groups as Figgy Duff and The Wonderful Grand Band in the 1970's and more recently The Plankerdown Band, he also spent 10 years working closely with Newfoundland’s late, great fiddle masters, Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit. With these and other musicians, he has brought the unique folk music of Newfoundland to such countries as England, Ireland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, the USA and all across Canada.

 Today, as one of Newfoundland’s most prominent musicians, Kelly is recognized as an Ambassador of Newfoundland Music. As a solo artist, or teamed with various combinations of musicians he has worked with over the years, Kelly demonstrates the true essence of Newfoundland traditional folk music. In addition to fiddle, he plays concertina, bouzouki, mandolin, tin whistle, dulcimer & harp.

 As well as furthering Newfoundland traditional music, Kelly has also been active in preserving another important Newfoundland tradition : the art of storytelling and recitation, as inspired by his late father, Ted Russell (creator of The Chronicles of Uncle Mose - Tales from Pigeon Inlet). In an effort to educate our younger generation on Newfoundland traditional music and storytelling, Kelly visits a number of Schools in the province each year, sharing his wealth of knowledge in these areas.

 In addition to performing both nationally and internationally, Kelly is a well known on the local provincial music scene as a performer and entertainer. His most recent projects include groups The Planks, a folk-rock group and Bristol's Hope, a project group for The Cabot 500 Celebrations in 1997. With wife & partner Tonya Kearley, Kelly also runs a music & dance events in Trinity such as Dance Up and they are former co-owners of two Bed & Breakfast establishments ; Monkstown Manor B&B in St. John's and The Hangashore B&B in Trinity.

Kelly Russell has received numerous awards & accolades including The Marius Barbeau Award for significant contribution to folklore in Canada, The Nfld & Labrador Arts Council Award for Music, 2 Certificates of Recognition from The Tourism Association of Nfld. & Lab., the City of St. John's Legend Award and his photo was featured on the front cover of the 1997 Newfoundland & Labrador Telephone Book.

Figgy Duff - Founding member of the pioneering Newfoundland Folk/Rock group with Noel Dinn, Pamela Morgan, Dave Panting, Art Stoyles, and Phil Dinn.Toured Newfoundland and Canada, Ireland, major Folk Festivals, and other events, CBC Radio and TV shows.
 
 

Wonderful Grand Band - Founding member of this popular group combining original and traditional music {with Sandy Morris, Ron Hynes, Bryan Hennessey, Glen Simmons, and Rocky Wiseman} and comedy, {Tommy Sexton and Greg Malone of CODCO}. Popular CBC-TV series " The Root Seller ", plus live shows in Newfoundland and Toronto. Recorded LP " The Wonderful Grand Band" in 1978.

 CBC TV - Resident backup musician and featured soloist along with Ray Walsh and John White on "Come All Ye" series featuring Anna McGoldrick {2 years} and " Newfoundland Country " with Ron Hynes and Beth Harrington .

 Fiddle Music Collection - Received Canada Council Grant to travel Newfoundland and Labrador to record & collect the music of the provinces fiddle players. This has been an ongoing project which presently consists of over 500 tunes unique to Newfoundland, transcribed in musical notation & digitally formatted for computer music software.
 
 

Pigeon Inlet Productions Ltd. - Established Newfoundland's only independent label devoted to the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of local folk music. PIP has to date released 30 full length productions on LP, Cassette, and Compact Disc and is recognized as one of Newfoundlands foremost music production companys.

 Music Teacher - Began giving beginners and advanced instruction in fiddle playing, Three years with MUN Extension Services and many years as private instructor. Well over a hundred students have learned from Kelly, most notably current musicians Colin Carrigan, Patrick Moran (The Punters) & Glen Hiscock (Connemara)
 
 

Rufus Guinchard & Jim Payne - Performances and tours across Canada and USA, England, Ireland, France, Expo's '85, '86, and '88 in Japan, Vancouver, and Australia. Many TV and radio shows including Tommy Hunter, major Folk Festivals, schools, and two albums. CBC TV 's Yarns from Pigeon Inlet - Recorded theme music and all other incidental music for local CBC TV series based on "Uncle Mose" stories by Ted Russell. (approx. 15 shows). Three Turn Tune - Local folk music group with Jim Payne and Colin Quigley. Shows in Newfoundland and Toronto during 1981.

Denmark & Sweden - As a solo performer representing Canada on a two week concert tour during 1981, also exchanging folk music with local musicians and dancers.

Published Book - "Rufus Guinchard - The Man and his Music" was published by Harry Cuff Publications in 1982 containing a biography of Rufus, photos & notation to 60 tunes.
 
 

Figgy Duff - Additional touring with group in Canada, Ireland, and England with a performance for the Reagan / Mulroney Shamrock Summit Gala TV show.

 Fiddle Concerto - A collaboration with Peter Gardner & the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, presenting a classical style accompaniment to tunes by Emile Benoit. Performed for CBC Radio. two Arts Council Awards Shows and the Governor General's Gala 1992.

 Arts Council Award - Received 1987 music award from Nfld & Labrador Arts Council.
 
 

Nfld's First Compact Disc - Produced Newfoundland's first local recording to be released on Compact Disc - " All the Best - Folk Music of St. John's, Newfoundland."

 Hank Williams Show - A musical drama with Ron Hynes and several other celebrated musicians. Played at the LSPU Hall for 2 weeks plus successful Arts & Culture Centre tour.
 
 

Figgy Duff - Rejoined the group full time to produce " Weather Out the Storm" album and two videos. Toured England, Scotland, plus other performances. Received a JUNO nomination and an East Coast Music Award for best video.
 
 

Another Time - Co-produced this much celebrated album which features contemporary arrangements of favourite Newfoundland folk songs. Nominated for East Coast Music Award fo Album of the Year.
 
 

Russell, Joyce, and O'Byrne - Formed group with Jim Joyce and former " Ryan's Fancy " member Fergus O'Byrne. Local club work plus performances in Toronto, Ottawa, and the 1992 Canada Day Celebrations in Hong Kong.

Tickle Harbour - Joined this long standing Newfoundland folk group as part time musician. Local performances, plus national network CBC TV show " The National Doubt".

Emile Benoit - Recorded tracks for Emile's album " Vive La Rose " and accompanying video. Performed with Emile on many various occasions over the years, festivals, etc. (Produced Emile's first album, " Emile's Dream", in 1979).

The Plankerdown Band - This highly acclaimed group recorded an album called The Jig is Up, travelled twice to the UK and Ireland to perform and played both the Winnipeg and Vancouver Folk Festivals plus several Radio & TV Shows. Also nominated for Instrumental Artist of the Year at The East Coast Music Awards. Their album was on the top 25 list for CBC Radios national folk music show, Roots & Wings.

 The Planks - Following the demise of The Plankerdown Band, members Kelly Russell, Frank Maher & Adam Staple joined forces with members of Adam's other band, Drive, and the musical category of Alternative Folk was born. The Planks currently perform in the local St. John's club scene and are gaining considerable popularity. The performed for the 1995 Arts Council Awards Show on CBC TV and were invited to Whistler BC to perform at the Whistler Centre for the Arts. The group, which became a four-piece Band with the departure of Frank Maher in January 1996, have recorded a CD called Smashed Hits.

The Irish Descendants - Kelly is formerly a member of this popular Newfoundland group. He joined in 1998 and has played on 2 albums, Blooming Bright Star and a Christmas CD called The Gift, leaving the Band to pursue other interests in February 2003.

 Schools - Presentations on the importance of Newfoundland Culture & Music are given to students at many schools around the Province.

Dance Up - Traditional Nfld Dancing held every Wednesday night during the summer tourist season at Rocky's Place in Trinity.

Pigeon Inlet Productions - Developing the market for See Sounds CD/Cassette & Book Series and ongoing production of Newfoundland Music Recordings.

Kelly Russell's Collection- Two books featuring music notation to over 450 fiddle tunes unique to Newfoundland & Labrador.

Tunes & Tales of Newfoundland with Kelly Russell - Kelly performs this solo show featuring the classic Tales from Pigeon Inlet ny his father, Ted Russell and music and stories from legendary Newfoundland fiddlers Emile Benoit and Rufus Guinchard