“RUSSELL H. IS A MUSICAL GENIUS”

Now a newly graduated student from the Frost School of Music, Russell balances his professional career between Florida and Massachusetts, with plenty of stops in between. In January 2026, he joined forces with the South Florida jam band, Tand, in hitting the road across the Eastern United States. Though primarily taking the role as a keyboardist, he also contributes his sound to the band as he simultaneously plays the trumpet in live performances. Russell has taken lead in many major projects through his years in Florida, most notably with Cheesecake, a 7 piece funk fusion band blending the virtuosic performances of Frost alumni. This band released an album in 2025, Live at Weeks Recording Studio, and went on an album release tour through Massachusetts. Cheesecake has taken a step back from live performances to focus on their upcoming album, Save Me A Slice. Russell also co-runs small form jazz ensembles through the east coast with members from this band, including Nolan Slate on Saxophone and Kodi McKean on drums. These projects have recently allowed Russell to pursue extended keyboard techniques using foot pedals and synthesizers. He continues to hold ties with Boston by playing with a rock band under the name The Spit.

Russell Hornung graduated with a degree in music education at the University of Miami, a long sought after pursuit since 9th grade of high school. When COVID hit in 2020, Russell premiered a brass band summer program for 3 years, allowing young musicians to enjoy music making at a safe distance outdoors. In college, he studied with esteemed professionals, including the latest trumpeter of the jazz messengers, Brian Lynch, as well as Etienne Charles, Don Coffman, Jay Rees, Cynthia Kohanek, Christine Napoles, and many others. The program has allowed Russell to pursue his passion for K-12 education at a professional level, working in internships through Miami-Dade county and music summer programs in New England, including Camp Encore/Coda in Maine and the Rivers Conservatory in Massachusetts. Additionally, he spent 2 years in school as an active member of the Beta Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and the Frost Band of the Hour.

As a kid, Russell was always musically involved somehow. Playing piano since he was 5, he spent most of his childhood studying extensively at the Rivers Conservatory of Music, learning from Dan Loschen, and honing is skills in various jazz and classical ensembles, including the Rivers’ Youth Symphony Orchestra. Since starting trumpet at the age of 10 with Greg Gettel, Russell was a leader in trumpet sections, playing for his high school’s jazz band and wind ensemble as they traveled to state wide competitions. He took on the role of an ensemble leader at a young age, directing the Wellesley High School jazz combo, as they also competed in local competitions.

If he isn’t busy with his musical profession, Russell is probably somewhere in the woods, spending time hiking, rock climbing, biking, camping, or any other recreational activity outdoors. He strives to combine the worlds of music and outdoors in creative ways, most recently by mobilizing his career (and means of living) in a cargo van. Russell hopes in his journeys he can find inspiring pockets of nature in the North American continent and communities where raw, human-made music may be less accessible.