Orchestrator Russell Warner

[elmore3003]

Posted: 4/26/11 at 6:47pm

My friend Russell Warner died this morning in Seattle. I don't know his exact age, but I know he was over 70 and in terrible health. He needed a new heart, and the irony is that he had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I ever knew.

I met him in 1984 through John McGlinn, who was looking for another orchestrator for the Book-of-the-Month Club recording of "Songs of New York." Since I had told John I was dreadful at transcribing period recordings, Russell transcribed a lot of songs from old 78's and, while they were true to the originals, they had a wit and sparkle that reflected Russell's whimsical outlook on life.

When I think of him, I see someone a bit larger than life, looking rather like a cross between a lumberjack and a demented Santa Claus, sometimes looking like a deer in the headlights of a car, but always amused and glad to see you to share a laugh or to provide some support to a friend who needed a lift. I'm sure the angel band plays a little more spirited with Russell now writing their charts.

He didn't have much on Broadway - THE UTTER GLORY OF MORISSEY HALL and VERY GOOD EDDIE are all I can think of at the moment - but he left a lot of beautiful orchestrations on record, all reflecting a nice awareness of the period in which the
show was set and infusing his bright and funny outlook on existence in every note.

I will miss him enormously.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 4/26/11 at 11:03pm

I also knew Russell, having met him about a dozen years ago through a mutual friend. Your comments capture him perfectly!

Until he went back to Seattle, I'd generally see him several times a year for theater, concert or ballet performances. He was definitely someone you never forgot once you knew him!

P.S. - to get an idea of how brilliant he was in capturing and preserving our musical theater gems, check out the Dawn Upshaw & Kurt Ollman recording of Gershwin's OH, KAY! on Nonesuch - his orchestrations are terrific!

P.P.S. - his Broadway credits:


Little Johnny Jones [Revival, Musical] Mar 21, 1982 - Mar 21, 1982
Dance arrangements by Russell Warner

The Five O'Clock Girl [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Jan 28, 1981 - Feb 8, 1981
Dance arrangements by Russell Warner
Music orchestrated by Russell Warner

The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall [Original, Musical] May 13, 1979 - May 13, 1979
Music orchestrated by Russell Warner

Whoopee! [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Feb 14, 1979 - Aug 12, 1979
Dance arrangements by Russell Warner
Music orchestrated by Russell Warner

The American Dance Machine [Original, Special, Dance] Jun 14, 1978 - Dec 3, 1978
Dance arrangements by Russell Warner

Going Up [Revival, Musical, Comedy] Sep 19, 1976 - Oct 31, 1976
Music arranged by Russell Warner

Very Good Eddie [Revival, Musical] Dec 21, 1975 - Sep 5, 1976
Music arranged by Russell Warner
Musical Director: Russell Warner

Shenandoah [Original, Musical] Jan 7, 1975 - Aug 7, 1977
Dance arrangements by Russell Warner

Updated On: 4/26/11 at 11:03 PM

[elmore3003]

Posted: 4/27/11 at 7:36am

Thanks for adding to Russell's credits. I was in a bit of shock when I posted yesterday, and I always forget about the Goodspeed shows on which he worked as a dance arranger. I knew that he had conducted VERY GOOD EDDIE on Broadway, and he may have done the same for SHENANDOAH.
Updated On: 4/27/11 at 07:36 AM