Russ DeFilippis - Guitar

My love of music started as far back as I can remember.  Since I was 8 years old I was infatuated with musical recordings of all types.  I carried pictures of guitars in my pocket that I had torn out of the Sears and Roebuck catalog.  I plastered my bedroom walls with pictures of a Who's Who of the guitar world.  It didn't matter what music they played, if they used a guitar, I was mesmerized.

By the time I was 10 I convinced my parents to sign me up for guitar lessons, financing them with earnings from my paper route.  I finally saved enough to buy a Sears Silvertone guitar, and my lifelong musical journey was underway!  I arrived at the local music studio and was placed into the guiding hands of guitarist and dear friend, Joe Amplo.  Joe directed me to expand my musical horizons and scope of studies, introducing me to jazz guitarist Al Feraldi and classical guitarist Jon Varner

During my teen years I drew inspiration from all forms of music.  Jazz and blues especially intrigued me.  I felt those art forms allowed its performers greater freedom of expression and experimentation.

I formed my first band while in high school, performing all the top pop tunes of the time.  As our musical expertise expanded, we began to include more blues, jazz and R&B selections.

Embracing the fingerstyle approach to playing guitar, I began drawing improvisational ideas from the great jazz groups, and their use of the most well-recognized guitarists, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, and Joe Pass.

Other interests and activities paled in comparison to my love of music. Upon graduation from high school in 1970 I was fortunate enough to be admitted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, majoring in Applied Performance.  While a student at Berklee I had the honor of being taught and coached by three dedicated guitarists and educators; William Leavitt, Mark French and Mick Goodrick.

Enjoying the life of a student/musician in early 1970s Boston, I encountered many other young musicians playing all types of instruments, and all styles of music.  Listening to the performances of Charlie Parker, Dizzey Gillespie, Miles Davis and John Coltrane greatly expanded my musical influences.

Beside Berklee I discovered another treasure squirreled away in an obscure little office in Brookline.  He was jazz pianist/educator, and all around music guru, Charles Banocos, under whom I had the good fortune to study for many years.  His early guidance on helping me find my own unique style of play is still a source of inspiration to me.

Upon graduation from Berklee and receiving a Bachelor of Music degree, I was offered a position as teacher in the college's guitar department, which I happily accepted, and where I flourished for two years, furthering my musical education.

Longing to get back to the New York music scene I returned home.  I quickly found work in a variety of musical styles and scenarios.  I performed in concert halls and nightclubs, recording sessions and social events, all the time continuing my work as a guitar instructor.  All done to further my goal of being an "employed" musician, paying the bills with what I earned from doing what I loved.

Still hungry to continue my musical education I contacted jazz educator Dennis Sandole of Philadelphia, and began a fruitful five year inspirational association.

Being a professional musician in the three decades of the '70s, '80s and '90s, I found myself working with eclectic group of artists including, Bob Hope, Dick Clark, Joey Bishop, Martha Reeves, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Anthony, Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie, The Drifters, The Crystals, The Shirells, just to name-drop a few!

In 1988 I earned the position of assistant to legendary jazz great, George Benson.  It was my privilege to work alongside my good friend and mentor, George, assisting him with his Warner Brothers Records releases of, "Tenderly," "Big Boss Band," and "Love Remembers."

My home base is still the New York metro area, but I've toured throughout the United States and abroad, performing on both stage and screen.

Television production always interested me, and I received training in behind the scenes jobs such as editing, which has become an avocation.  So now, along with my musical pursuits I freelanced as a broadcast engineer to supplement my income.

I was hired by broadcasting legend, CBS News in 1998.  My current "daytime" gig is as a news editor for The Early Show and Saturday Early Show.

In 2002 I joined forces with fellow guitarist John Tropea, and co-founded a jazz trio featuring at different times, bassists Mike Richmond, Nicki Parrot, Cameron Brown, Jay Leonhart, to name just an illustrious few.

2003 saw the birth of my own group, a trio of superb musicians known as "rd3."   My bandmates on the inaugural release are Cameron Brown on acoustic bass and Paul Undersinger playing drums.  I'm proud to be associated with these fine musicians.