Biography
Danny Russo, the violinist born in the United States who died on 15 December 1944, assembled his debut ensemble, the Russo-Fio Rito Orchestra, during the early 1920s in Chicago, Illinois. Co-directed with Ted Fio Rito, the unit secured its opening engagement at Detroit’s Oriole Terrace. Despite early contractual friction with Michigan’s musicians’ union, the group swiftly attracted audiences across the state. After the pair returned to the Chicago vicinity, their partnership ended in 1927, prompting the formation of two rival units in which Russo retained the Oriole Orchestra name for his own. He retained most of the original personnel in a new lineup that comprised Max Williams, Ralph Pierce, George Weisheipl, Roy Johnson, Fritz Holtz, Hector Herbert, Ralph Barnhart, Paul Wittenmeyer, Don Hughes and Jim Jackson. The ensemble followed a conventional instrumentation of three saxophones, two trumpets, one trombone, piano, tuba, banjo and drums, with Russo’s violin positioned at the front. This configuration maintained its regional popularity throughout Illinois during the 1930s.
Singles
