Michael Russell


You might not have heard of Michael Russell, but you will probably have heard him. One of Aotearoa’s top trumpeters, he’s played and recorded with everyone from the Rodger Fox Big Band, Rick Bryant’s Jive Bombers, Big Sideways and Herbs to Dave Dobbyn, Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos, Bill Lake and The Pelicans, Netherworld Dancing Toys, Don McGlashan and Marc Hunter.

He lived and played in Australia for several years, gigged with The Violent Femmes, travelled the world with Midnight Oil and toured here with When the Cat’s Away during 2024. Like many horn players, Russell’s career began in a brass band. “Mum thought I was ‘musical’ and took me along to The Howick Brass Band [in Auckland] aged eight. They gave me a cornet and it all began from there.”

The brass section at the State House Kid album sessions at Progressive, January 1985. From left: Chris Green, Mike Russell, and David Colven.
Photo credit: Paula Reid
Steve Sherriff (saxophone) and Mike Russell (trumpet) performing with When The Cat's Away, Auckland Town Hall, October 2023.
The brass section at the State House Kid album sessions at Progressive, January 1985. From left: David Colven, Mike Russell, and Chris Green. 
Photo credit: Paula Reid
Netherworld Dancing Toys performing Standing In The Rain live at Christchurch Town Hall with Michael Russell on trumpet (1985)
When The Cat's Away, May 2024 with Mike Russell fourth from right.
Big Sideways - an illustration by Bob Withers. From left: Mike Russell, Robbie Sinclair, Debbie Harwood, Lee Connolly, John Bongo (Quigley), Phil Steel, Chris Green.
Newton Hoons Mike Russell and Chris Green (third and fourth from left) in the Gotham City Horns, Hamilton Island, Queensland, 1991.
Michael Russell in Christchurch band Equus, led by bassist Reuben McNab, at the Dux de Lux in 2005. With Tony Millar (drums) and Ben McNab at far left.
Netherworld Dancing Toys - For Today music video (1985)
Big Sideways, a 1983 publicity shot. Clockwise from the bottom: Lee Connolly, Phil Steel, Mike Russell (with trumpet), Robbie Sinclair in the doorway, Chris Green (in white sunglasses), John Quigley with guitar.
Photo credit: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. Ref PAColl-9882-001
Cruise Control covering YMCA at Fat Eddie's, Christchurch (2023)
Big Sideways. From left: Chris Green (in beret), Robbie Sinclair (in hat and sunglasses), Phil Steel, Lee Connolly, Mike Russell, John Quigley. - Photo by Charles Jameson.
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Gotham City Express - Once You Get Started live (1986)
Michael Russell in a publicity photo, c2024.
Photo credit: Oliver Hudson
Michael Russell (top centre) with the Rodger Fox Big Band and Midge Marsden, 1980s.
When The Cat's Away performing Melting Pot live at the Powerstation, Auckland (2024)
Mike Russell (left) with When The Cat's Away.
Last Man Down at the Birkenhead War Memorial grandstand, 1986. From left: Bob Shepheard, Mike Visser, Ross Mullins, David Colven, Chris Green, and Mike Russell. 
Photo credit: Paula Reid
Mike Russell (centre), 2024
Michael Russell on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1993 as part of the 60th birthday celebrations for the bridge. "Gotham City Horns played on the bridge. They stopped us with some urgency as there were over 100,000 people on the bridge all dancing, and the movement caused an issue that may have brought the bridge down. So once they cleared it, I snuck back on and got a few shots taken."
Michael Russell performing with Midnight Oil, 1 September 2022 at Christchurch Arena (now Wolfbrook Arena) as part of their final tour.
Michael Russell (centre) with Midnight Oil. Left to right: Jim Moginie, Peter Garrett, Michael Russell, Rob Hirst and Martin Rotsey.
Mike Russell in a publicity photo, 2004.
Netherworld Dancing Toys performing For Today live at Christchurch Town Hall with Annie Crummer and Michael Russell on trumpet (1986)
An early incarnation of Big Sideways, c. 1982. From left: Robbie Sinclair, Chris Green, Lee Connolly, Mike Russell, Sonya Waters John Quigley, and Phil Steel.
Netherworld Dancing Toys - For Today (1985)
Chris Green (saxophone) and Mike Russell (trumpet) of Big Sideways. They soon became an in-demand brass section called The Newton Hoons. 
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
When the Cat's Away (tour documentary, 1987)
Midnight Oil, 1 September 2022: From left to right: Martin Rotsey (guitar), Andy Bickers (saxophone), Michael Russell (trumpet), Scott Taitoko (trombone).
Michael Russell (in bowtie, back row, fourth from left) in the Rodger Fox Big Band.
Gotham City Express - What Is Hip live (1986)
Mike Russell (third from left) in the NZ Youth Jazz Orchestra, Vancouver 1986.
Gotham City Horns, Sydney 1993. From left to right: Justin Kearin (trombone), Harry (trumpet), Michael Russell (trumpet), Ross Ogden (saxophone), David Theick (saxophone), Chris Green (saxophone, obscured).
Annie Crummer and Kim Willoughby performing in When The Cat's Away, May 2024. Back row, left to right: Barbara Griffin (keyboards), Nick Atkinson (saxophone), Mike Russell (trumpet).
Labels:

Ripper


Unsung Music


Jayrem


Eelman


Hit Singles


Ode


CBS


Reaction


Circular Records


Ravenswood


Q.D.K. Media


Mushroom Records


EMI

The Newton Hoons: Chris Green and Michael Russell.

Funded by

Partners with