Russell Jacquet

The older brother of tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, Russell often worked with his brother through the years but never achieved much fame. He originally played in the Midwest with the California Playboy Band (1934-1937), a group that also included another brother (Linton Jacquet) on drums. Jacquet worked with Floyd Ray (1939-1940) and then studied at Wiley College (1940-1942) and Texas Southern University (1942-1944), leading a big band at the latter college. In the meantime, Illinois had become famous. Russell recorded with his brother, led his own unsuccessful group and ...