MUSICIAN. COMPOSER. PRODUCER.
Russ Brannon.
Bio
Russ Brannon is a guitarist and instrumental composer from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Known for his melodic and improvisational playing, Russ has been relentlessly evolving his unmistakable sound for over 60 years.
Influenced as a teenager by Chet Atkins, The Ventures, Howard Roberts, and later; Larry Carlton, George Benson, Robben Ford among many others, Russ’s playing is infused with the sensibilities of these giants without ever sounding contrived or mimicked. From his early beginnings in the late 50s and early 60s, as a teenager playing dancehalls, through to his latest project Sojourn, nearly 65 years later, the journey has been epic. His newest album “Sojourn” is in many ways the culmination of those experiences, taking the listener on a voyage that shines a compositional light on decades of playing and recording, traveling the world and raising a family.
Russ has often said he believes instrumental music can spark a listener’s imagination and reach places that words cannot. “A great melody is one that reaches deep, and is not always predictable. I love to reach listeners by doing the unexpected, like a surprising cadence or bittersweet dissonance; these pose wonderful and engaging questions searching for an interesting resolution”.
It’s hard to distill down to a few paragraphs a musical career this long and colorful; which is maybe one of the most compelling aspects of this record. Many of Russ’s friends, hearing the record for the first time, have said that Sojourn comes across to them as his musical autobiography.
Russ’s music career in Maritime Canada expanded beyond the stage and studio. He founded Musicstop a retail music store chain in 1972, with his wife Sharon, which grew into the premier music retailer and musical lesson academy in the Maritime Canada. Also of note, another part of Russ’s Musicstop family was Solar Audio, which was the top recording studio in the Halifax for 35 years. Russ has been recognized as a key builder of the music industry on the east coast and implemented many innovative and novel musician friendly programs to help grow the industry and keep it healthy over the years.
One of Russ’s favorite lines when asked about his business career “I only got into these businesses to support my music habit”.
Russ has two sons, Peter and Matthew who also play music.
Musical Influences
My grandmother when a young woman played piano at silent movies in her hometown. Visiting us occasionally when I was preteen, she played our old piano. It was an unforgettable magic to me.
My dad wasn’t a player but loved music. As a boy at home, I remember him always whistling and singing. His extensive record collection of 78’s often being played at home added both to my love of music, and repertoire.
Early guitar influences included Chet Atkins, The Ventures, The Shadows and Chuck Berry, 60’s Beatles, Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks.
Later influences were Howard Roberts, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Robbin Ford and Scott Henderson.
Performing
Russ is a seasoned musician with a career spanning decades. From the age of 17 to 26, he played in bars and cover bands, touring clubs, bars, and lounges across Atlantic Canada, Ontario, and Quebec.
In his later years, Russ transitioned to performing one-night club dates and shows, as well as participating in jazz festivals both as a sideman and a featured artist.
Business
Russ has been deeply involved in the music and business scenes since the 1970s. He used spare time at Solar Audio, Atlantic Canada’s premier recording studio for 35 years, to record and promote maritime writers and talent, achieving placements with major artists.
In 1972, he founded Musicstop, Atlantic Canada’s largest music retailer, which was sold to L&M in 2008.
He also founded a music conservatory in 1986, which grew to provide 3,000 lessons per week.
Additionally, Russ founded Master Merchant Systems/Maplewave, a technology company utilized by cellular carriers and stores worldwide.
His contributions have earned him recognition for business leadership in Maritime Canada, with awards from the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) and various business associations.
