“RUSSELL H. IS A MUSICAL GENIUS”

Originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts, Russell Hornung is a current student of music education at the University of Miami with a focus in jazz trumpet. Russell has studied with esteemed professionals, including the latest trumpeter of the jazz messengers, Brian Lynch, as well as Etienne Charles, Don Coffman, Jay Rees, and many others. He’s taken part in multiple notable Frost ensembles, including the Kenny Garrett Ensemble, Frost Studio Jazz Band, the Frost Band of the Hour marching band, and more. While not in the practice room, he spends his time teaching K-12 music students in jazz and classical music. Additionally, he’s a member of the Beta Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Miami.

Russell has many projects outside of school as well, largely surrounding his current funk band, Cheesecake. He leads, arranges, composes, and plays trumpet for this ensemble, bringing the band around local Miami. He also co-runs the James Harris Duo with Nolan Slate, which is a jazz saxophone and hammond organ duo, with Russell on the hammond. Recently, he started a project playing bass for a rock band, named the Spit. For three years, Russell had also led a brass band summer program for three years since 2020, named Brass for Impact, meant for high schoolers who want to play music outside of school. He spends a lot of his time teaching as well.

Back at home, Russell was always musically involved somehow. Playing piano since he was 5, he spent most of his childhood studying at the Rivers Conservatory of Music, learning from Dan Loschen, and playing in various jazz ensembles, as well as the Rivers’ Youth Symphony Orchestra. Since starting trumpet at the age of 10, Russell was a leader in trumpet sections, playing for Steve Scott’s 2:00 Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble as they traveled to state wide competitions. He also led the Wellesley High School jazz combo, as they competed in local competitions.

If he isn’t busy with his musical profession, Russell is probably somewhere in the woods, spending time hiking, rock climbing, biking, camping, or any other recreational activity outdoors. He also takes interest in graphic design, as he does his own work in advertising his performances.