Russ Spiegel Professional Guitarist

Russ Spiegel

Groovy, swinging, and sophisticated at the same time, versatile guitarist and composer Russ Spiegel hits all the right notes. Covering a wide variety of styles from rock and blues, to funk and Latin, as well as hard-swinging modern and most-modern jazz, Russ has been garnering rave reviews for his performances all around the world. Russ Spiegel is a commissioned composer and arranger, as well as a highlight respected international guitarist, bandleader, writer, musicologist, and award-winning sound engineer. He received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Afterwards, Russ spent more than a decade living and performing in Europe before returning to the US, where he settled in New York City. Once there, Russ quickly became an established member of the jazz scene. He earned his masters degree in Jazz Performance during this time, studying at the City College of New York under the aegis of John Patitucci before going on to receive his doctorate in Jazz Composition at the University of Miami Frost School of Music as a Henry Mancini Institute Fellow.

Russ has released several albums, scored music for film, and currently performs and leads masterclasses, workshops, and seminars around the world. Russ is presently teaching at Florida International University and Miami Dade College.

Featured Productions as a Leader:

  • Caribbean Blue (Ruzztone Music 2023) with Brian Lynch, Hendrik Meurkens, Tim Armacost, Javier Nero, Ben Beal, Jim Gasior, and Lucas Apostoleris. Modern jazz organ-based original music composed, arranged, and produced by Russ Spiegel

  • Wait a Minute (Ruzztone Music, 2019) with Brian Lynch, Tom Kelley, Juan Turros, Jim Gasior, and Rodolfo Zuniga. Modern jazz organ-based quartet of original music composed, arranged, and produced by Russ Spiegel

  • Transplants (Ruzztone Music, 2009) 17-piece contemporary Big Band music composed, arranged and produced in New York by Russ Spiegel

  • Chimera (SteepleChase, 2007) with David Smith, Arun Luthra, Nick Mancini, Gary Wang and Anthony Pinciotti. Written and arranged by Russ Spiegel

  • Twilight (Double Moon/Challenge, 2001) with Barbara Dennerlein, Jürgen Seefelder, Derrick James, Allen Jacobson, Thomas Stabenow and others featuring original compositions, arrangements and produced by Russ Spiegel

  • Russ Spiegel’s Big Band – Live in Europe (Oomph!!, 2000). Live recording of original big band compositions and arrangements by and produced by Russ Spiegel

  • Monky (MT/EFA, 1998) with Adam Nussbaum, Andy Middleton and Johannes Weidenmüller. Original music written and produced by Russ Spiegel

As Featured Artist and/or Sideman:

  • The Alchemist, Scott Reeves Quintet (Origin Records, 2021: electric guitar)

  • Freedom, Javier Nero Septet (Outside in Music, 2020: electric & acoustic guitar)

  • Some Kinda Life, Two Sheds Jackson (HOFA, 2018: electric & acoustic guitar, composition)

  • MaloGranie. Mihał Sołtan (ArtHorse, 2017: guitar & production)

  • Blues Box, LouPoe (Happy Records, 2014: guitar, bass, & composition)

  • little big waters, Martelle (Monogenuss, 2007)

  • A Faceless Place, Bill Warfield Big Band (Laurel Hill, 2005: guitarist & conductor)

  • Waiting for Naima, Alberto Menendez (In-n-Out, 2002)

  • Winter Child, Barbara Leah Meyer (Laika, 2002)

  • Spirit of Gospel, Spirit of Gospel (Click, 2001)