Russo, William

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Russo, William (b Chicago, 1928; d Chicago, 2003). Amer. composer. Trombonist and composer-arranger for Stan Kenton orch., 1950–4. Dir., Russo Orch., NY, 1958–61 and London Jazz Orch. 1962–5. Teacher and dir. Rock Theater, Peabody Inst., 1969–71, and at Columbia Coll., Chicago, from 1979. Comps. incl. 2 syms.; ballets Les Deux Errants (1955) and The Golden Bird (1983); operas John Hooton (1961) and A Cabaret Opera (1985); vc. conc. (1962); The Civil War, rock cantata (1968); David, rock cantata (1968); Liberation, rock cantata (1969).