Kelly Russell
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Kelly Russell

Band Folk Spoken Word

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Discography

1/ Wonderful Grand Band (1st Album) 1978
2/ Jim Payne & Kelly Russell 1982
3/ All the Best - (also producer)1988
4/ Figgy Duff - Weather Out the Storm 1989
4/ Another Time - (also producer) 1991
5/ Plankerdown Band - The Jig is Up 1993
6/ Bristol's Hope - Lately Come Over 1995
7/ Kelly Russell & The Planks - Smashed Hits 1996
8/ The Irish Descendants - Blooming Bright Star 2000
9/ The Irish Descendants - The Gift 2001
10/ Sean McCann - Son of a Sailor 2010

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Bio

Kelly Russell
37 Years in Newfoundland Music
A professional musician since 1975, Kelly has been a member of landmark groups Figgy Duff, The Wonderful Grand Band, The Plankerdown Band, Bristol's Hope, Kelly Russell & The Planks and The Irish Descendants. Working closely for many years with legendary fiddlers Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit, learning, recording and documenting their unique music, Kelly has inherited genuine status as one of Newfoundland's leading traditional music performers.
A prominent musical ambassador, Kelly has performed in such countries as England, Ireland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Spain, the USA and all across Canada. His own record label, Pigeon Inlet Productions (est. 1979), has released well over 30 full length recordings on LP, Cassette and CD. Kelly has also taught fiddle to many students, several now successful performers themselves, and has visited many of the Province's schools promoting an interest in Newfoundland culture with our youth. He has also been active in reviving the art of storytelling and recitation, inspired by his late father, Ted Russell (creator of The Chronicles of Uncle Mose - Tales from Pigeon Inlet).
In recent years, along with his wife and partner, Tonya Kearley, Kelly has brought his expertise in Nfld Music & Culture to the growing Tourism Industry in the Province with such popular events as Tunes and Tales, an evening of Newfoundland fiddle music & storytelling and Dance Up , introducing visitors and locals alike to the joys of old-fashioned Newfoundland folk dancing. A huge success in Trinity for many years, these events are now presented during the summer in the St. John’s area. Along with daughters Naomi & Tamsyn, Kelly & Tonya have formed a family group, Russells in the Corner, performed to sold out audiences each week during the summer at A Time in Pigeon Inlet, an “old fashioned concert” in Bay Roberts
Kelly has been awarded the Nfld & Lab Arts Council Award for Music (1987), twice awarded the Tourism Industry Association Certificate of Recognition (1991 & 1997), the prestigious Marius Barbeau Award (1997) for his contribution to Canadian Folklore and the City of St. John's Legend Award (1999). He has recently published 2 music books : Kelly Russell’s Collection – The Fiddle Music of Nfld & Lab – Vols 1 & 2
In March of 2010, Kelly was the first ever recipient of the “Tradition Bearer” award from the Department of Tourism’s Historic Commemorations Program.

2010
1st RECIPIENT of Traditional Bearer Award – Nfld Historic Commemorations, Dept of Tourism & Culture
2011
Sean McCann & The Committed – A new trio featuring Sean (Great Big Sea), Craig Young on Guitar Mandolin and Dobro, and Kelly on Fiddle Concertina & Bouzouki. US Tour in Fall of 2011 : New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Washington, Buffalo, etc.
A Time in Pigeon Inlet – 4th Season
Tunes & Tales of Nfld – Sunday Evenings at O’Reilly’s, St. John’s , Summer 2011
Brockville Storytelling Festival – Sept 2011
Wonderful Grand Band (WGB) Reunion Concert – Arts & Culture Centre & Government House
2012
Sean McCann & The Committed – March 9 : Irish Fund, Toronto
A Time in Pigeon Inlet – 5th Season. See www.pigeoninlet.ca
Tunes & Tales of Nfld – Every Wednesday Evening in July & August at Uptown (home of Yuk Yuks)
Ottawa Storytelling Festival – Nov 2012