Legendary jazz guitarist Russell Malone, dead at 60

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Legendary jazz guitarist Russell Malone passed away at the age of 60 on Friday, August 23, 2024.

Credit: Photo contributed by Gary Motley

Well-regarded jazz guitarist Russell Malone passed away on Friday, August 23. According to those who knew him well, Malone, 60, was born in Albany, Georgia, but lived in Atlanta for over a decade. 

Multiple reports suggest Russell’s passing occurred while on tour with Ron Carter in Japan. His rare solo performances are considered some of the best jazz guitar work in the business. Russell’s performance at the New York Guitar Festival in January 2004 is most often cited as a good example of his prowess.

During his decades-long career, Malone, a self-taught artist, performed and toured with many jazz greats, including Carter, Harry Connick, Jr., Jimmy Smith, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, and many others. 

“Russell was probably the most significant jazz guitarist we had in the last 40 years,” said Gray Motley, founding director of Jazz Studies at Emory University. 

Motley and Malone remained friends after working together when Motley, a jazz pianist, toured with Malone’s quartet from 1992-1994. “I was very fortunate to meet him in Atlanta and tour with Russell across the United States and Europe,” Motley said. 

Motley called Malone “a people person,” something that others who worked with Malone confirmed. 

“He had an efficacious laugh and smile and a joy for life,” said local jazz bassist Jordan Dayan. “Russell had all the talent and worked hard at his craft.” 

For a young jazz pianist looking to break into the big time, Malone was much more.

“He always looked out for the Atlanta community,” said jazz pianist Louis Heriveaux. Malone took Heriveaux on his first national tour. “He helped show me the ropes of the business and took me under his wing. He was a good-hearted cat.”

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with The Atlanta Voice.