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Last Call Review: Frank Russell / Circle Without End / Sonic Portraits

Frank Russell is a bassist deserving wider recognition. On his second CD, Circle Without End, Russell displays total mastery of the bass, something he refined while working with noted jazz guitarist Henry Johnson and the legendary South African singing group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. A Chicago native, Russell has worked as a musician for more than 25 years.The bassist has performed at many jazz festivals across the country including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival and  the Chicago Jazz Festival. Russell is also a close associate of keyboardist and musical director for Miles Davis in the 80s, Robert Irving III, who contributes to a number of the tracks. The Miles mood is further cemented by the presence of Davis emissary, trumpeter Wallace Roney on two selections. Selections on the recording include "Code MD-2" which is from the pen of Robert Irving III; "Quick Pix" which features fellow Chicago bassists Darryl Jones and Richard Patterson,  and the beautiful ballad “Desi in Sedona”.

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.