Age, Biography and Wiki

Russell Procope was born on 11 August, 1908 in New York City, U.S., is an American clarinetist and saxophonist. Discover Russell Procope's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 73 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation Musician
Age 73 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 11 August, 1908
Birthday 11 August
Birthplace New York City, U.S.
Date of death 1981
Died Place New York City, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 11 August. He is a member of famous artist with the age 73 years old group.

Russell Procope Height, Weight & Measurements

At 73 years old, Russell Procope height not available right now. We will update Russell Procope's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Russell Procope Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Russell Procope worth at the age of 73 years old? Russell Procope’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from United States. We have estimated Russell Procope's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income artist

Russell Procope Social Network

Instagram
Linkedin
Twitter
Facebook
Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1908

Russell Keith Procope (August 11, 1908 – January 21, 1981) was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra.

Procope was born in New York City, United States, and grew up in San Juan Hill, where he attended school with Benny Carter.

His first instrument was the violin, but he switched to clarinet and alto saxophone.

1926

He began his professional career in 1926 as a member of Billy Freeman's orchestra.

1929

He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton at the age of 20, and played with bands led by Benny Carter, Chick Webb (1929–30), Fletcher Henderson (spring of 1931 to 1934), Tiny Bradshaw, Teddy Hill, King Oliver, and Willie Bryant.

1934

Fletcher Henderson's band dissolved in 1934.

Along with several other ex-Henderson musicians, Procope joined Benny Carter's orchestra.

1935

He also worked for a time with the Tiny Bradshaw and Willie Bryant bands before joining Teddy Hill in 1935.

During his stay with Teddy Hill's orchestra the trumpet section included, at various times, Roy Eldridge, Bill Coleman, Frankie Newton, and Dizzy Gillespie, while trombonist Dickie Wells and tenor-saxophonist Chu Berry were two other soloists who played with the band.

1937

It was as a member of this orchestra that Russell Procope made his first trip to Europe in 1937; Teddy Hill's band formed part of The Cotton Club Revue, an all-African American show, which during its European tour appeared at the London Palladium.

He was a private with the 372nd Infantry Regiment band.

1938

In 1938, Procope replaced Pete Brown in John Kirby's sextet, with whom he played exclusively alto sax until 1945 (with an interruption for World War II).

It was with Kirby that he began to make his name.

Kirby's band included Charlie Shavers (trumpet), Buster Bailey (clarinet), Procope (alto-sax), Billy Kyle (piano) and O'Neil Spencer (drums).

This group was billed as "The Biggest Little Band In The World" - performing intricate, tightly-woven small-band orchestrations, combining precision with relaxation and a high standard of solo playing.

1943

From September 1943 until the end of World War II, Procope served in the United States Army.

1946

Procope joined the Ellington orchestra in 1946, standing in for Otto Hardwick for one night in Worcester, Massachusetts, and staying until Ellington died in 1974.

1950

Procope came to Europe again as a member of this band during the summer of 1950.

Like all members of the Ellington reed section except for alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Procope doubled on the clarinet, and it was on that instrument that he made his reputation.

Though he was a fine saxophonist who could (and did) play tenor as well as alto saxophone with authority, Procope was most highly regarded for his woody, understated clarinet solos, a warm contrast to fellow reed section member Jimmy Hamilton's cheerful, breezy style.

(A hearing of the contrast between the two clarinetists can be heard on Ellington's three-part suite "Idiom '59"; Ellington handed Procope the solo for the slower tempoed opening part, before handing Hamilton the first clarinet solo and the bridge blues solo on the more swinging second part.) Procope was also highly regarded personally within and outside the Ellington band.

"He was", wrote Ellington in Music is My Mistress, "an utterly sober and reliable musician, always to be depended upon."

After Ellington's death, Procope toured with Brooks Kerr's trio.

1956

In 1956, Procope recorded The Persuasive Sax of Russ Procope under the London Records label.

Procope played the alto-saxophone, along with Remo Biondi (rhythm guitar), Earl Backus (solo guitar), Paul Jordan (piano) Mel Schmidt (bass), and Frank Rullo (drums).

Although Procope's early playing reflected the influence of Benny Carter, he had evolved a highly individual style.

It combined an essentially lyrical approach with a forceful, swinging attack.

With the Duke Ellington Orchestra

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Johnny Hodges