Russell Webster
Jazz Saxophonist
Inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame in
Russell Webster
(April 10, 1928 – September 8, 2007)
Russell was the youngest of 12 children who would accompany his mother to church where she played the organ and where he would help her push the heavy pedals during the service. His mother insisted all the children learn the piano as well as other instruments. He received his early musical education at Crispus Attucks High school followed by woodwinds instruction at Butler’s Jordan Conservatory of Music.
Webster served in the 384th Regiment Army Band and upon his return to Indianapolis in 1952, he assumed his role as a brash, new maverick on the jazz scene of Indiana Avenue. He played with Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Coe, David Young, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Reggie DuValle, Monk Montgomery, Mingo Jones, Buddy Montgomery, Melvin Rhyne and Willis Kirk.
Webster also took a position as a U.S. Postal Letter Carrier. His gregarious character and his penchant for whistling original compositions along his route garnered him praise from the community and local news journalists, who dubbed him the "Whistling Postman".
Russell directed a project with an album release entitled Uncle Funkenstein – Together Again. The recording included Clifford Ratliff, Claude Sifferlen, Melvin Rhyne, “Pookie” Johnson, Larry Ridley and James Spaulding, all Indianapolis’ finest musicians who would help define the Naptown sound. Although only 1,000 copies were released, to this day the recording is coveted by collectors.
