Danny Russo

b. USA, d. 15 Dec 1944. Violinist Danny Russo shaped his first music group, the Russo-Fio Rito Orchestra, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in the first 20s. Jointly helmed by Russo and Ted Fio Rito, their 1st booking came in the Oriole Terrace in Detroit. The music group soon became well-known in Michigan, despite preliminary problems over agreements with the neighborhood musician’s union. The Fio Rito/Russo collaboration was ultimately dissolved in 1927 once they returned towards the Chicago region. Two competing rings were constructed, with Russo’s edition keeping the name Oriole Orchestra. He also held lots of the initial musicians in a fresh formation including Maximum Williams, Ralph Pierce, George Weisheipl, Roy Johnson, Fritz Holtz, Hector Herbert, Ralph Barnhart, Paul Wittenmeyer, Don Hughes and Jim Jackson. These were organised in a typical mix of three saxophones, two trumpets, one trombone, piano, tuba, banjo and drums. Russo’s violin was positioned in the forefront of the group, who stayed well-known in the Illinois area through the 30s.