06/15/2026
So looking forward to the Camrose blues festival in July!!!
Playing July 18, Russell Jackson Band
Russell B. Jackson - The Groove Guru. “Find the pocket, play the groove, and you get the calls.”
Russell Jackson has more than five decades under his belt as a master of both acoustic and electric bass. He’s fluent in many styles and was the first to employ the slap bass in a blues context, over time earning the moniker, “the Groove Guru”. A disciple of the legendary Willie Dixon, Russell continues to champion the tradition of the stand-up bass.
Memphis born, as a young man Russell Jackson moved to Chicago to hone his craft. He was soon hired by one of the blues city’s greats, vocalist Otis Clay. During this time, he was spotted by none other than Mr. B.B. King, who invited him to join the B.B. King Orchestra. He spent the next seven years travelling the world with the legendary ‘Ambassador of the Blues’. Memorable moment include performing with the B.B. King Band for a New Year’s Eve (2016) television production of Austin City Limits, and the induction of B.B. into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.
Russell is a highly sought after educator who teaches in workshop settings and privately. His master classes are available locally or online. Teaching credits include the Hornby Island Blues Camp (2012, 2013, 2024), the Tom Lee School of Music (1997-99), Master Classes for the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (2017-20), among the many. Recently, Russell was nominated at the 2025 Canadian Blues Music Award for The Lifetime Achievement Award.
Russell’s been sought out to be a Music Director in a number of settings, including his work with Touring Chicago Bluesfest from 2005-10 that featured Willie Hayes, Shakura S’Aida, Tasha Taylor, Wayne Baker Brooks, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Eddie Taylor Jr. Wilbert Crosby, James Armstrong, Sandra Hall, D.C.
