William Russo (1) (1928–2003)

William Russo, or Bill Russo (June 25, 1928 – January 11, 2003), was an American jazz musician and composer. He is considered one of the greatest jazz composers and arrangers. He also composed many innovative classical and contemporary works, including a work for symphony orchestra and blues band that became one of the Deutsche Grammophon label's biggest selling classical CDs. He was a composition teacher and is the author of three music composition books. Russo wrote ground-breaking orchestral scores for the Stan Kenton Orchestra and was a top trombonist for that band. He founded the music department at Columbia College in Chicago, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and co-founded the Body Politic Theater in Chicago with director Paul Sills and community activist Rev. Jim Shiflett. He was given a Lifetime Achievement award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, during the 1990 Grammy Awards.