Charles Ellsworth "Pee Wee" Russell, born March 27, 1906 in Maplewood, Missouri, was an American clarinetist. Inspired by Alcide "Yellow" Nuñez, he settled on the clarinet and began his professional career in 1922 with various touring acts. His debut recording was "Fuzzy Wuzzy Bird" with Herb Berger’s Band in 1924. In the late 1920s, Russell joined Bix Beiderbecke's band. Throughout the 1930s, he collaborated with artists like Adrian Rollini and Louis Prima. He moved to New York in the mid-1940s and performed regularly at Greenwich Village clubs. In the 1950s, Russell frequently appeared at major jazz festivals across the East Coast, Europe, Japan, and Oceania. Notable collaborations include Hoagy Carmichael, Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, and Thelonious Monk. His discography includes albums like We're In the Money (1953) and Jazz Reunion (1961). He passed away on February 15, 1969 in Alexandria, Virginia.
