The late William Russo served as director of Columbia College's Contemporary American Music Program and was also the longtime leader of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is based there. The CJE recently released an eponymous CD which examines both Chicago's and Russo's history. The veteran musician/educator, who had been composing for over 50 years, went to the city's Senn High School with legendary saxophonist Lee Konitz. Both occasionally gigged together at city clubs, studied with brilliant, but eccentric pianist Lennie Tristano, and began a lifetime of off-and-on collaboration. During the early '50s, Russo joined Stan Kenton's band, and played with the revolutionary bandleader. During the 1960s, Russo studied with Charles Ives' protege John J. Becker, and wrote a symphony for Leonard Bernstein (and a bunch of operas), and turned down Duke Ellington's request to join his group full-time.
By the end of the decade, Russo was tired with jazz, so he formed an experimental rock band which practiced in his office. Eventually, of course, he returned to his jazz and classical roots.
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