Gene Russell born 2 December 1932

Gene Russell (December 2, 1932 – May 5, 1981), was an American pop, jazz, and soul keyboardist who played acoustic and Fender Rhodes and is best known as the founder of the legendary '70s Oakland funk and soul-jazz label Black Jazz Records. 

A favorite of vinyl crate-diggers and DJs, Russell's label was home to recordings by Walter Bishop, Jr., Doug Carn, Henry Franklin, and others. Following his 1967 debut for Dot Records, he released his own albums on Black Jazz, including 1971's New Direction and 1972's Talk to My Lady. 

William Eugene Russell was born in Los Angeles, California and was a cousin of guitarist Charlie Christian. He played piano from a young age and spent time studying at Julliard in New York, working with a bevy of well-known performers, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Zoot Sims, and the Three Sounds, to name but a few. He also released two 1967 hard bop albums, Takin' Care of Business and Up and Away. He studied with Hampton Hawes. In the 1960s and 1970s, he composed music for film and television also appearing as an actor. 

                                    

Russell eventually settled in Oakland, California where in 1969 he launched Black Jazz Records to promote and showcase Black jazz, soul, and funk artists. The label, which was partially funded by percussionist and Ovation label-owner Dick Schory, gained some early recognition during its brief six-year run, releasing albums by spiritual jazz couple Doug and Jean Carn, former Count Basie Band bassist Cleveland Eaton, bassist Henry Franklin, guitarist Calvin Keys, vocalist Kellee Patterson, and others. Russell also recorded his own albums for the label, releasing 1971's New Direction and 1972's Talk to My Lady. 

By 1975, Russell had sold the label and launched Aquarican Records with plans to focus less on jazz and more on soul and funk sounds. He signed vocalist Talita Long (mother of actress Nia Long) and together they released 1981's Autumn Leaves. However, Russell died following a brief illness at the Vetrans Hospital, Westwood , California on May 5, 1981 at the age of 48. In the decades following his passing, Black Jazz Records developed a cult-following with albums finding their way into the hands of DJs and hip-hop artists. In 2020, Black Jazz was part of a significant reissue campaign by Real Gone Music. 

(Edited from AllMusic, Wikipedia & Jet Magazine)