A special concert honors one of the North Country’s most talented musicians. Musicians, and friends from the Adirondacks & North Country gathered recently to honor Russell Ames, from Westport, who died a year ago September, at the age of 91.
Russell, who was pianist, played with some of the world’s finest musicians, on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center. He directed dozens of student and community theatre productions of Gilbert & Sullivan and Broadway musicals. He moved in the late 90’s to the Adirondacks, where he met his neighbor, Alisa Endsley, a Broadway singer and actress, and they performed together in several shows at the Depot Theatre in Westport, and the Hand House in Elizabethtown. It was there at the historic Hand House last month that Alisa and many of Russell’s friends and fellow musicians gathered for a special concert in his honor. Alisa performed a duet with Russell using a recording from one of their past performances.
Alisa & fellow musicians Rose Chancler, and Jennifer Moore who teamed up and purchased Russell’s Steinway grand piano that will now remain at the Hand House Museum in Elizabethtown. The concerts held last month were not only a tribute, but also fundraisers. Donations are being accepted, visit the Piano By Nature website if you’d like to learn more.
Thank You Mr. Ames – Artist List
Alisa Endsley/Vocalist, & Concert Co-Creator
Jennifer Moore/Piano & Concert Co – Creator
Hans Himelein/Sax
Jeris French/Violin
Rose Chancler/Piano & Founder of Piano by Nature
Marilyn Reynolds/Violin
Amy Nelson/Vocalist
Michael Bergman/Vocalist
Learn more: www.pianobynature.org
Watch the full tribute concert to Russell Ames on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/MEOvY6fRmmE
Watch our interview Producer Will Houle did with Alisa Endsley about her good friend and musical partner Russell Ames:
https://youtu.be/_VQ0n9i3o2I