Name: Joe Russo
Associations: Benevento/Russo Duo, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Further
Instrument: Drums
Brands: Ludwig, Istanbul, Evans
Musician’s Biography:
Joe Russo has recently made a huge splash with his band Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, though his career has been quite expansive beyond that. Russo made a name for himself with the Benevento/Russo Duo and has gone on to tour with several acts including Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Gene Ween Band, Trey Anastasio – Mike Gordon Duo, and Further.
With Further Joe Russo connected with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, which paved the way for Russo starting Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, which features Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz, Marco Benevento, Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton which is a high energy creatively interpreted tribute to The Grateful Dead.
In the early years of Joe Russo’s career, he found guidance with his teacher Frank Marino and honed his chops which led him to attend Berklee School of Music. After leaving Berklee he started a funk fusion band, Fat Mama in Boulder Colorado eventually returning to the east coast where he connected with Marco Benevento. While backing up organist Robert Walter, Joe Russo was able to bring the Benevento/Russo duo on the road as an opener which allowed Russo to feature his drummer and develop his sound.
This growth has extended to all of Russo’s projects and has led Russo to performances at Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, Hampton Coliseum, Radio City Music Hall and many other historic and prestigious music venues.
Joe Russo’s Drum Setup: Ludwig Drumset – Sugar Percussion Snares
Cymbals: Istanbul Agop Cymbals
- Istanbul 19” Traditional Dark Crash Cymbal
- Istanbul 17” Traditional Medium Crash Cymbal
- Istanbul 16” OM Crash Cymbal
- Istanbul 21” Mel Lewis Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 26” Agop Signature Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 20” Turk Flat Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 24” Joey Waronker Signature Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 17” Traditional Dark Crash
- Istanbul 22” Sultan Jazz Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 13” Agop Signature Hi Hats
- Istanbul 14” 30th Anniversary Hi Hats
- Istanbul 24” Xist Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 21” Traditional Medium Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 24” Traditional Medium Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 13” Xist Hi Hatsl
- Istanbul 18” 30th Anniversary Crash Cymbal
- Istanbul 24” Agop Signature Ride Cymbal
- Istanbul 18” Traditional Medium Crash Cymbal
Heads: Evans
Sticks: Pro Mark Drum Sticks
Hardware: Ludwig Drum Hardware
Some of the bands and musicians Joe Russo has collaborated with include:
- Levon Helm
- Elvis Costello
- Trey Anastasio
- Nels Cline
- Marco Benevento
- Mike Gordon
- John Scofield
- Cass McCombs
- Chris Robinson
- Bob Weir
- Phil Lesh
- Jonathan Wilson
