Russ has been playing guitar since he was eleven. He said he used to do
whatever his older brother would do, so when his brother began playing
guitar, he picked it up as well. When he was 14, his brother gave up playing
and sold him his equipment, and it was at that point he seriously pursued
his love of music.
Russ said he spent his "formative years learning rock and heavy metal
through guitar tabs, videos" and anything he could "get his hands on." A lot
of his favorite rock players from that time were also into classical guitar,
which introduced him to the style. This eventually lead him to pursue and
receive a degree in Classical Performance from the University of North
Texas.
Russ played, toured and recorded with various bands over the years
performing original music and "trying to get labels interested enough to
sign us." He said he parted with his last Rock band and in a meeting with
his Producer Bob Parr, decided to record a CD which highlighted his "Nuevo
Flamenco" guitar style. This eventually gave birth to Russ' debut CD "Bajo
el Sol" (Under the Sun).
Russ on Soundcloud
Russ explains his style of play is "not true flamenco, jazz, Latin jazz, Cuban or Brazilian, but a fusion of styles, sometimes combined together simultaneously, and I do that without worrying about what particular rules go with each style." Russ says there is a "Latin/rumba base" to all his songs but each is unique in its own way. He said he wanted to "take what Ottmar Liebert started and expand on it." He saw an opportunity to get play-time for his music with Smooth Jazz Radio embracing "several artists in my style, such as Jesse Cook, Acoustic Alchemy, Lawson Rollins and, of course, Ottmar."
REVIEWS:
Chasing Horizons (2022)
"I’ve always found classical music and the rock/metal genre co-related in more ways than
one, although it sounds crazy to some people given the drastic difference in the overall mood,
yet if you look closer; you’ll find similarities in the musical structure, the layering of
sounds, and the complexity of it all. From a degree in classical guitar to 20 years of playing
rock and heavy metal, Russ Hewitt seems to have found the perfect balance between both genres
before shifting to his current style of Latin, Spanish fusion."Cielo Nocturno (2016)
"Local Texan rumba flamenco guitarist Russ Hewitt impressed us with his recording debut
Bajo El Sol eight years ago and has been patience and particular with his steps since. Waiting
three years to record his equally strong follow up Alma Vieja Hewitt avoided the sophomore slump
and now it has been over 5 years for him to finally release his latest recording Cielo Nocturno.
Keeping a creative streak is a difficult task for even the best of musicians and streaks are made
to be broken. Clearly this is the case with Cielo Nocturno which is not of equal strength of
his prior recordings but frankly exceeds all expectations from this artist that grows in his
compositional capabilities."Alma Vieja (2012)
"‘Alma Vieja’ is the latest CD from guitar virtuoso Russ Hewitt and is
replete with the rumba flamenco rhythms and lightning guitar runs that have
become trademarks of his distinctive style. The project also includes a
stellar line up of backing musicians including former Miami Sound Machine
percussionist Raphael Padilla and drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr who in his
time has played with both Santana and Ricky Martin. They are joined by
bass player Bob Parr and exciting flamenco guitar prodigy Alfredo Caceres
while other significant contributions come from contemporary jazz saxophonist
Michael Lington and Grammy award-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat who has
graced the stage with heavyweights such as The Rolling Stones Yanni and Aerosmith."Bajo El Sol (2008)
"In
many ways, I’m starting over," Hewitt explains. “New band, new music, a different
way to approach music and a different target audience." His decision to go by his
middle name is a reflection of this shift. "I’m ‘shedding old skin,’ if you will,"
he affirms.His latest release, Bajo El Sol, is a bright, fluid soft jazz with heavy
overtones of the traditional Spanish style of flamenco. “Ironically enough, I’m
not a flamenco player at all,” explains Hewitt, “not in the traditional sense
like Paco De Lucia or Sabicus.” This style is called ‘nuevo flamenco,’ which
Hewitt explains, “takes the ‘rumba’ style of flamenco, puts it into song form
(intro/verse/chorus/solo, etc) and then adds melody over it."
INTERVIEWS:
Zzag Productions, Issue #118
"One of the
things I enjoy most about doing this magazine is the opportunities I have to
“get acquainted" with the artists I review .... when I first started this
effort, it was mostly through promoters, but once the INIERNET started
kickin' up it’s heels, I often was able to get in touch with the artist
direct... in Russ’s case, I think I first encountered his music on
REVERBNAIION {'or another OMD)". I reviewed a CD from him several issues
back, & it just kind of went from there. Anyway, here’s a really
nice/insightful INTERVIEW with him... YOUR chance to get to know this
vibrant young artist better — ENJOY!”
~ Zzag Productions (pdf)
The Sound Interview
~ The Sound Interview (pdf)
MUSIC WEB EXPRESS 3000
"'Based in Dallas Texas, fretboard master Russ Hewitt continues refining
his unique blend of acoustic—based Nuevo Flamenco and Gypsy Jazz guitar
instrumentals. Sounding equally inspired by vintage flamenco, classical
guitar and rhumba flamenco with a touch of glowing Santana inspired guitar
moves, Hewitt clearly has the chops and, while his sound is impeccable, it's
also worth noting that on the 2011 CD release of Alma Vieja (Old Soul),
Hewitt is also about emotion and feel. The notes just fiow off of Hewitt's
nylon string guitars and the melodies are memorable too. On the Alma Vieja
album, Russ reunites once again with producer Bob Parr, and several of the
key players who were also featured on the 2009 CD release of Bajo el SoI —
inc|uding Steve Winwood dmmmer Walfredn Reyes Jr. and percussionist Rafael
Padilla. Where Hewitt dazzles with his usual deft fiamenco jazz sound, on
track 8 here, "Las Cruces”, Hewitt also displays a rare compositional knack
for composing songs that could very well tum out to be instrumental
standards—for fusion, flamenco, jazz and beyond. Texas has turned out some
of the great American rock and blues guitar pioneers of all time, and the
American Nuevo Flamenco Jazz sound gets a solid boost with the timeless
fiamenco guitar groove of Alma Vieja.”
~ MUSIC WEB EXPRESS 3000 (pdf)
PRESS QUOTES:
SMOOTHMIX.COM:
"Russ Hewitt mixes it up with a unique blend of neuvo flamenco, Latin and jazz styles that is flowing with passion and grace. The result is fresh, fluid, and captivating. Truly a master of the guitar, Russ Hewitt's music is not to be missed."(Gerry Regensburg, smoothmix.com radio)
KYTE-FM
"Russ Hewitts blend of Nuevo Flamenco and funky Latin beats is enough to make even the most conservative of people 'run' to the dance floor, yet at the same time perfect for smooth, easy listening. It's the best of both worlds, and I am waiting impatiently for the next offering from Russ Hewitt."(Tyler Romero, Music Director KYTE-FM)
WFSS 91.9FM NPR:
"Russ Hewitt stirs listeners musically with his strong Latin and jazz sensibilities with every track from Bajo el Sol. He's got some serious hooks. Wow! Russ Hewitt's is a wonderful entry where he brings the world's music together. Muchimos Gracias!"(Dionne Maldonado, the Jazz Lady WFSS, 91.9FM NPR News)
VIDEOS:
Russ Hewitt 'Sunset Samba' (feat. Jorge Strunz)Russ Hewitt 'Gabriela mi Corazon' live at Wynn Chapel
Russ Hewitt 'Inger' live at Mayfest
Russ Hewitt "Palma De Mallorca" from DVD concert
Russ Hewitt "Lydia" ***LIVE***
