Arthur Russell was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on May 21, 1951. trained on cello
and piano, he moved to San Fancisco at the age of eighteen, where he studied at
the conservatory, while also taking an interest in Buddhism and Indian classical
music, and accompanying the poet Allen Ginsberg. Relocated to New York in 1973,
Russell joined the Manhattan School and took courses in electronic music at
Columbia University. He rubbed shoulders with avant-garde composer Rhys Chatham,
whom he replaced as director of The Kitchen music center (1974-1975). Influenced
by minimalist composers, the ...