Mark Russo

Mark A. Russo is a freelance trumpet player and music educator in the greater Cleveland area and is currently the Director of Bands for Constellation Schools Puritas Middle School. He is the former Director of the Garfield Heights High School “Music Express” Show Choir Combo. During his tenure, “Music Express” has won 3 Grand Championships, 4 runner-up finishes, and 3 Best Outstanding Instrumental Group awards. Mr. Russo is also one of the founding members of the Garfield Heights Alumni Jazz Ensemble (GHAJE) which is an ensemble/group dedicated to the advocacy of jazz education in the Garfield Heights City Schools. In addition, he has held private studio teaching positions for over 15 years at venues such as Educator’s Music, Brecksville Music, The Aurora School of Music and Garfield Heights High School. As a performer, Mr. Russo has worked for Carnival Cruise Lines and has performed extensively with such local groups as The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Various groups affiliated with Jerry Bruno Productions such as The AVENUE, Afterdark and The Tony Camerado band, Bobby Selvaggio's Hendectet Jazz Collective, Transportation Boulevard, The Hermit Club Jazz Orchestra, The Swing City Big Band, Dan Zola Orchestra. He has shared the stage with such artists as Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Carl Allen, Ingrid Jensen, John Bailey, Marvin Stamm, Allen Vizzutti, Randy Johnston, Wayne Bergeron, and Mike Lee. Mr. Russo has received recognition for his achievements in jazz winning Kent State University’s Walter Watson Jazz Achievement Award (2001, 2002) and the BGSU Jazz Achievement Award (1998). He has also studied trumpet and arranging with Todd Davidson, Brad Goode, Jeffery O. Halsey, Russell Schmidt, Chris Buzzelli, Jack Shantz, Michael W. Chunn, Dennis Reynolds, Chas Baker, and Paul Ferguson. Mr. Russo is also an active member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN), Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA), and the International Trumpet Guild (ITG)