(March 27th 1906 - February 15th 1969)

Charles Ellsworth Russell, better known by his nickname Pee Wee was born in Maplewood Missouri in March 1906. Staring out as a dixieland reed player in Chicago with musicians including Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Condon, Russell developed a distinctive and highly expressive style. Setting saxophones aside his principle instrument became the clarinet and he would remain a popular player well into the Swing and Bop eras.