Marshall Brown

The early-'60s team of Marshall Brown (a highly disciplined and organized teacher) and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell (a very spontaneous alcoholic) was definitely an odd coupling, yet during its brief existence, it was mutually beneficial. Russell was encouraged to play very modern pieces (including some by John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman) and was well showcased in Brown's arrangements; it was the valve trombonist who received more publicity than he ever had during his career. Brown was largely self-taught although he eventually gained a music degree from New York University i...