Russ Spiegel

Born: March 30, 1962

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 and hard-swinging modern and post-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 highly 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

Nitty Gritty

By Russ Spiegel

Label: RuzzTone Music
Released: 2025
Track listing: Soul Station; Prelude to a Kiss; Norwegian Wood; Nitty Gritty; A Man and a Woman; Deep Brooklyn; Besame Mucho; Lonely Buddha; Epic; Four Brothers.

Russ Spiegel: Nitty Gritty

by Jack Bowers
June 29, 2025

The phrase Nitty Gritty has a number of meanings, among the most oft-repeated of which are “mundane," “ordinary" and “commonplace." Guitarist Russ Spiegel surely had another definition in mind when naming his seventh album, whose aftermath brings to mind several graphic expressions. But mundane, ordinary and commonplace are not among them. Instead, words ...

Russ Spiegel, Mira Choquette, The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, Kristina Koller, Milena Casado, Emi Makabe & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
May 26, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Russ Spiegel, Mira Choquette, The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra, Kristina Koller, Milena Casado and Emi Makabe, with birthday shoutouts to Betty Carter, Jennifer Wharton, Veronica Swift, KJ Denhert, Nadje Noordhuis, Grace Kelly and honorable men Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach, among others. Happy listening and please support the artists you ...

Jed Levy, Bill O'Connell, Gina Saputo, Sean Nelson and more

by Benjamin Boddie
May 1, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Charles Rouse, Jed Levy, Bill O'Connell, Gina Saputo, Sean Nelson, Doug Wyatt, Joe Lovano, Igmar Thomas, Reginald Cyntje, Franck Amsallem, Russ Spiegel, Dave Robbins, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Lyn Stanley, Reid Hoyson, Nels Cline, Thomas Marriott, Aron!, Nancy Kelly, Triology, Altin Sencalar, Sharel Cassity, Hiromi, John Ellis, Jeff Libman, Nnenna Freelon, ...

Silvano Monasterios, Reggie Watkins, Jeff Libman, Triology and more

by Benjamin Boddie
April 18, 2025

Streaming on demand with today's music by Silvano Monasterios, Phil Brown, Reggie Watkins, Lorraine Feather, Sean Imboden, Jeff Libman, Triology, Jonah David, Peter Smith, Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu, Eric Alexander, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rodney Whitaker, Nnenna Freelon, Chad LB, and more. Playlist Silvano Monasterios “The River Between Us" from The River (Silvano Monasterios) 00:00 Phil ...

Branford Marsalis, Thomas Marriott, Mitch Towne, Lorraine Feather and more

by Benjamin Boddie
April 10, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Branford Marsalis, Altin Sencalar, Reginald Cyntie, Marianne Solivan, Thomas Marriott, Mitch Towne, Paul Hecht, Lorraine Feather, Eric Alexander, Geoffrey Dean, Jackson Potter, Willie Morris, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Jerry Gimble, Allan Chaubert, Billy Hart, Russ Spiegel, Elaine Dame, MTB, Posi-Tone Swingtet, The Empress, Nnenna Freelon, Rachel Therrien, Yellowjackets, and more.

Jonah David, Leon Anderson, Russ Spiegel, Shuffle Demons and more

by Benjamin Boddie
April 4, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Jonah David, Leon Anderson, Russ Spiegel, Nnenna Freelon, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Shuffle Demons, Kevin Fort, Renegade Queens, Posi-Tone Swingtet, Jeremy Pelt, The Empress, MTB, Artemis. Christopher Boscole, Steve johns, Yellowjackets, Max Leake, Fred Hersch, WDR Big Band, Rachel Therrien, Rodney Jordan, John Ellis, Chacho Ramirez, Diane Marino, Nels Cline, and ...

George Coleman, Reggie Watkins, Leon Anderson & Sean Nelson

by Joe Dimino
March 30, 2025

The 899th episode of Neon Jazz kicks off with a blast of energy, as trombonist Sean Nelson leads the charge with the New London Big Band, setting the tone with a fiery track from his brand-new 2025 album, Don't Stop Now. From there, we pay tribute to one of Sean's greatest inspirations--the legendary Harry James--before diving ...

Yuki Yamamura, Rachel Therrien, Whispering Worlds, Rodney Whitaker

by Cheryl K.
March 27, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, you'll hear from pianist and composer Yelena Eckemoff; bassists Shayna Dulberger, Yuki Yamamura, Rodney Whitaker and Rodney Jordan; the collective Artemis; trumpeter Rachel Therriem; the ensemble Whispering Worlds; and guitarists Russ Spiegel, Dave Stryker, and George Benson. Playlist Thad Jones “Whisper Not" from Mad ...