Notably, he worked extensively with Johnny Dankworth and created the score for The Matchgirls, together with writing theme tunes and background music for TV series such as On the Buses and the children's programme The Herbs.

He played with Vic Lewis, Oscar Rabin, Ralph Sharon, Jack Parnell and Tony Crombie.

Here he had the opportunity to both arrange and compose - a favourite jazz piece often included in performances was Russell's "Joe And Lol's Blues".

[3] In his later years, Russell became busier as a composer and won acclaim in 1966 for writing the score for the musical Matchgirls, which has enjoyed longevity into the 21st century.

During his final illness, he was commissioned to compose a Mass, a Missa Brevis, which was completed shortly before he died.

In his final composition, he moves from an overt jazz idiom, to encompass classical features of vocal scoring and instrumentation.