Episode 5.2 (December 2024) In the newest episode of New Music Edmonton’s The No Normal podcast, Reid interviews Toronto-based composer and performer Bruce A. Russell. From navigating through systemic barriers as an emerging artist, his mentorship under James Tenney, and becoming the composer/curator-in-residence at Arraymusic, Bruce’s story and compositions embody a deep passion for music and creation. Interest in Bruce’s music increased following the global Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. As a result, his work has been performed by Prism Percussion, San Juan Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony, Grant Park Orchestra, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Isabel String Quartet, Mill City String Quartet, and the University of Delaware School of Music. The most recent performances of his work have included Mill City String Quartet, University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble, Piano Lunaire, and junctQín keyboard collective.
Program:
01:13 – Kalimba Canon (excerpt 1)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, Performed by Second Note Duo, July 2020
13:20 – Linea Nigra (excerpt 1)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, part of the Ashil Mistry Royal Academy of Music, July 2016
24:12 – Sequences (excerpt)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, Performed by the University of Delaware Percussion, Directed by Gene Koshinski, May 2024
39:54 – ex harmonia (full)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, Performed by Arraymusic, 2023
55:29 – Linea Nigra (excerpt 2)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, part of the Ashil Mistry Royal Academy of Music, July 2016
72:07 – Kalimba Canon (excerpt 2)
Composed by Bruce A. Russell, Performed by Second Note Duo, July 2020
Artist Bio:
Bruce A. Russell (aka Ibrahim El Mahboob) is a composer and self-taught pianist. He studied at York University with James Tenney and Phillip Werren. Interest in his work increased in 2020, resulting in performances by San Juan Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony, Grant Park Orchestra, and Regina Symphony Orchestra. Arraymusic presented the first portrait concert of his music, and he is Composer-in-Residence and a curator at Array for three seasons from 2022 through 2025. Recent performances have included the Isabel String Quartet, University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble, Piano Lunaire, and junctQín keyboard collective. He has composed works for Artemis Musicians’ Society, Gryphon Trio, Madawaska Quartet, and Thin Edge New Music Collective, and served as Associate Mentor for Array’s Composers Workshop. He is the composer, music director and keyboardist for Ian Kamau’s live multimedia work Loss, which is set to return at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York in January 2025.
For More Information:
Bruce A. Russell / El Mahboob
- Website: https://elmahboob.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_mahboob/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BruceARussellComposer/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brussell
