Biography

Russ Lawton grew up in the Boston area where he began drumming professionally,and studying with Gene Roma. Early in his career, Russ toured with the Afro-fusion band Zzebra, formed by Osibisa's Nigerian-born percussionist Lofty Amao. He currently tours and records with a variety of musicians including Phish's Trey Anastasio. Collaborating with Trey includes co-writing songs from Phish's "Farmhouse" CD (featuring the Grammy-nominated song First Tube), Trey's first solo CD, the live "Plasma" CD, and "Live at the Warfield Theatre" DVD with Trey and Carlos Santana, as well as his two latest releases "The Horseshoe Curve" and "Tab At The Tab Live" in Atlanta.

Russ's current television appearance can be seen on PBS's Austin City Limits with Trey Anastasio. Past TV performances have been on Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Conan O'Brien Show and The Carson Daly Show.

Russ also tours with the band Strangefolk. When not with Trey or Strangefolk, Russ plays with a variety of other musicians which repertoire includes blues, funk, country and rock. In between gigs, Russ keeps busy with his drum students and various studio dates.

Other notable work includes the music for the independent movies "Mud Season", Mike Gordon's "Outside Out" and the L.A. movie "Left Hand Path."

Russ plays drums in Vermont funk duo Soule Monde.

Discography

Traveler by Trey Anastasio
Between Two Points by Perry Nunn
A Family Christmas by Mike Woodward
Solo World Jeff Sampson
Patience: The Roots Of Soule
Trey Anastasio: Trey Anastasio (first solo record), Plasma, The Horseshoe Curve, Tab At The Tab
Compilations w/ Trey Anastasio: Bonnaroo 2002&2004
Austin City Limits Festival: 2004
Jennifer Hartswick: Ocean Floor (tracks 1-6-7-8), Fuse
The Shrine Afrobeat w/Jimi Sholanke: Eje Kajo
Mike Gordon: Inside In, The Green Sparrow (Pretend)
Zzebra: The LA recordings
Gordon Stone: Even With The Odds
Keith Lewis: Shine, Exhausted Alibi's
Ron Levy: Finding My way, Voodoo Boogaloo
The Dirtminers: American Typewriter
Rich Price: Moonlight Breaks ( Tracks 5-8-9)
Rhythmo Loco: All Time Low
Dan King: Two Kinds Of Mind
Sharin The Groove: Runaway Jim
Sarah Swain: One Girl Town
The Grift: Live at Nectar's Trk 7&8
Zeile August: Cloudbursting
Jo Henley: Inside Out
Laslo Cameo: 2nd Avenue Serenade
Notheast Rhyhtm Collective: Gettin' Live
Allan Nicholls: Songs From The Source
What Time is it MR. Fox and other stories
Michael Jerling: In Another Life
Lowell Thompson The Repobs
Lowell Thompson Even Kids Get The Blues
Erin Dooley: As You Move
Kort mcCumber: Ain't The Same Before
Megan Walsh: Float
Hollow: merry-go-round
vision 2b: Free My Angel
Ryan Fawcett
Shannon Chase: Night and Day
Paulie Heath: Mostly What I Needed
Love Stories: Bobby Gosh

Online lessons are available through the free online service Skype. Online lessons cost $45 per hour or $30 per half hour. If you are interested in online lessons, please e-mail me at sub55@live.com

2013

June 20 Ray&Russ-Soule Monde Jazz In The Park Milwaukee WI
June 12 Ray&Russ-Soule Monde Positive Pie Montpelier VT 10:30pm
June 2 Ray&Russ-Soule Monde Burlington Jazz Festival City Hall Stage Burlington VT 2:30-4pm

May 31 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10pm
May 24 Trey Anastasio Band Summer Camp Music Festival Chillcothe IL
May 23 Trey Anastasio Band Allegany County Fairgrounds Cumberland MD
May 17 Trey Anastasio Band Hangout Music Festival Golf Shores AL
May 10 Ray&Russ - Soule Monde The Perfect Wife Manchester VT 10
May 4 Ray&Russ -Soule Monde Antidote Vergennes VT 9pm
EVERY WED IN MAY HONEYWELL at NECTAR'S BURLINGTON VT 10pm

April 30 Dead Set Metronome Burlington VT 10pm
April 26 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10pm
April 19 and 20 Trey Anastasio Band The Fox Theater Oakland CA 7:30
April 17 Trey Anastasio Band Crystal Ballroom Portland Oregon 7:30pm
April 16 Trey Anastasio Band Moore Theater Seattle WA 7pm
April 9 Dead Set Metronome Burlington VT 10pm
April 6 Ray&Russ Soule Monde 51 Main Middlebury Vt 8-11pm
April 5 Ray&Russ Soule Monde The Hostel Sugarbush VT 9pm
April 3 Honeywell Antidote Vergennes VT 8-10pm
April 2 Dead Set Metronome Burlington VT 10pm

Saturday, March 30 Ray∓Russ- Soule Monde The Main Pub Manchester CT 10pm
Friday, March 29 Ray &Russ- Soule Monde The Church Boston MA w/ Richard James & the name changers & Kong 10-11:30
Thursday, March 28 Ray&Russ Soule Monde Johnson State College, Johnson VT 7pm w/ special guest Rob Morse & Greg Matses 7pm
Saturday, March 23 Soule Monde Castle Rock Sugarbush VT 3-6 &Slidebrook Waitsfield VT 9-12
Saturday, March 16 Soule Monde Jay Peak VT Ski Area 3-6
Friday, March 15 Soule Monde The Hostel Waitsfield VT 9-12
Wednesday, March 13 Soule Monde Bar Antidote Vergennes VT 8-10
Friday, March 8 Grippo Funk band Nectar's Burlington VT 10-2
Wednesday, March 6 Soule Monde Slidebrook Waitfield VT 9-12

Friday-Saturday February 22-23 Dirigo Fri Mainley Brews Waterville ME Sat The Rack Sugarloaf ME
Wednesday, February 20 Honeywell Antidote Vergennes VT 8-10
Friday, February 15 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10-2
Wednesday, February 13 Soule Monde Slidebrook Waitsfield VT 9-12
Saturday, February 9 Grippo Funk Band Jay Peak Ski Area
Friday, February 8 Soule MondeCD release party at The Perfect Wife Manchester VT 9:30-1:30
Friday, February 2 The Hostel Sugarbush VT 9-12
Friday, February 1 Soule Monde Jay Peak VT Ski Area 6- 9

Wednesday, January 30 Antidote Vergennes VT 8-10
January 18-26 Tour with Trey
Saturday, January 12 Grippo Funk Band Bromley Mountain VT 7-10
Friday, January 11 Soule Monde The Hostel Waitsfield VT 9-12
Wednesday, January 9 Soule Monde Slidebrook Waitsfield VT 9-12
Saturday, January 5 Soule Monde Castle Rock Sugarbush VT 3-6

2012

December 31 Grippo Funk band Higherground Burlington VT 10-2
December 22 Soule Monde The Hostel Sugarbush VT 9:00
December 21 Soule Monde 51 Main Middlebury VT 9:00
December 15 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10:00
December 14 Soule Monde The Spot Underground Providence RI 9:00
December 12 Soule Monde Bar Antidote Vergennes VT 8-10
December 7 Soule Monde The Main Pub Manchester CT 9:00
December 6 Honeywell Trio Bar antidote vergennes VT 8-10

November 29 Soule Monde Toads Place New Haven CT Opening for Dopapod 9:00
November 17 Soule Monde CD release nectar's Burlington VT 10-2
November 16 Soule Monde CD Release Party The Spotlight Tavern Beverly MA 9:00
November 15 Soule Monde CD Release Party The Red Door Portsmouth NH 9:00
November 7 Soule Monde w/ special guest Bob Wagner Two brothers Middlebury VT 9-12
November 3 Dirigo The Brewers Fest Portland ME

October 31 The Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10-2
October 28 TRE ANASTASIO Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
October 27 TRE ANASTASIO Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
October 26 TRE ANASTASIO Beacon Theatre, New York, NY
October 24 TRE ANASTASIO The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD
October 23 TRE ANASTASIO The National, Richmond, VA
October 22 TRE ANASTASIO Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg, PA
October 20 TRE ANASTASIO LC Pavillion, Columbus, OH
October 19 TRE ANASTASIO Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL
October 18 TRE ANASTASIO The Fillmore, Detroit, MI
October 13 Dirigo Higherground Burlington VT 9:00
October 12 Dirigo Paradise Boston MA 9:00
October 10 Soule Monde Bar Antidote vergennes VT 8-10
October 6 Soule Monde Slidebrook Sugarbush VT 9-12
October 5 Soule Monde Fall Down Festival Durham CT 11-1 (Main stage)

September 16 Soule Monde 12:30 Dirigo 2:30 Wormtown Fall Festival (Vernville Stage) Greenfield MA
September 8 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10-2
September 7 Soule Monde The Hostel Sugarbush VT 9-12

August 31& September 1 Dirigo Mine Oyster Boothbay ME 9-1
August 29 Honeywell Two Bros. Middlebury VT 9:00
August 24 Soule Monde 51 Main Middlebury VT 9:00
August 22 Soule Monde Latitude 42 Gloucester MA 9:00 with our good friends The Bandit Kings
August 21 Dan King Jalapeno's Gloucester MA 7:00-9:00
August 20 Soule Monde The Rhumb Line Gloucester MA 9:00 w/ our good friends Dan King and the Bandit Kings
August 19 Soule Monde The Spotlight Tavern Beverly MA 9-1 (this show has been changed from the Howlin Wolf)
August 19, 1:30-3:00. Salem Jazz and Soul Festival 2012
August 17 Soule Monde The Hostel Sugarbush VT 9-12
August 15 Honeywell Two Bros Middlebury Vt 9:00
August 8 Soule Monde Antidote Vergennes VT 9:00
August 3 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10:00
August 1 Honeywell Two Bros. Middlebury VT 9:00

July 20 Patience 4:30-5:30 Soule Monde 10:00 -11:00 Solar Fest. Tinmouth VT I will also be playing with the house band at 8:00 and our good friends The Grift are on from 4:00 to 5:00
July 18 Honeywell Two Bros. Middlebury VT 9:00
July 14 Dirego Sandwich NH Music Fest 5:30-8:00
July 12 Soule Monde The Spot Providence RI 9:00
July 11 Soule Monde Antidote Vergennes VT 9:00
July 6 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington VT 10:00
July 4 Honeywell Two Bros. Middlebury VT 9:00

June 28 Soule Monde The Big Easy Portland ME 9:00
June 26-27 Soule Monde Boothbay Maritime Fest Boothbay ME
June 20 Honeywell Two Bros. Middlebury Vt 9:00
June 15 Keith Lewis Weirs Beach NH 3:30-6:30
June 9 Keith Lewis Weirs Beach NH 3:30-6:30
June 7 Soule Monde Jazz Fest Church St stage ( by Ben & Jerry's) Burlington Vt 12:30-2:30
June 5 Soule Monde (Ray&Russ) 9:30-11:30 and our good friends Clint Beirman and the Necessary Means 11:30- 1:00 Nectar's Burlington VT
June 3 Bob Wagner Jazz Fest City Hall stage, Burlington Vt 5:30-7:00
June 1 Grippo Funk Band Nectar's Burlington Vt 10:00

May 27 Strangecreek Greenfield MA w/ Strangefolk 7:00

April 27 Tammany Hall Worcester MA W/ Dirego 10:00
April 21 Unity College Unity ME Ray& Russ Soule Monde W/ Dirego
April 20 Ray Paczkowski-Russ Lawton Soule Monde The Big Easy Portland ME W/ Dirego 10 PM
April 19 Ray Paczkowski - Russ Lawton Soule Monde The Red Door Portsmouth NH 9 PM
April 14 Church St Burlington. Waterwheel Benefit 4-5:00 W/ John Fishman, Bob Wagner, Josh Panda, Phil Abair, and Aaron Hersey Poster
April 7 Nectar's with Grippo Funk Band
April 6 Pine Tree Pub Warren VT 9-12 w/ Soule Monde Ray & Russ

Mar. 17 Ray & Russ Soule Monde 51 Main Middlebury VT 9-12
Mar. 16 Ray & Russ Soule Monde Slidebrook Sugarbush VT 9-12
Mar. 9 Ray& Russ Soule Monde The Hostel Sugarbish VT 9-12
Mar. 3 Grippo Funk Band 4-9 Jay Peak Ski Resort
Mar. 2 Grippo Funk Band 10-1 Nectar's Burlington VT

Feb. 17 & 18 The Big Easy Portland ME Feb 18 & Sugarloaf Ski Resort w/ Dirego
Feb. 10 The Perfect Wife Manchester VT Soule Monde 10-1
Feb. 4 Nectar's Burlington VT w/ The Grippo Funk Band 10-2
Feb. 2 51 Main Middlebury VT w/ Dayve Huckett 8-10
NECTAR'S EVERY WED IN FEB. W/ SOULE MONDE

Jan. 21 Johnny D's Sommerville MA w/Dirigo 10:00
Jan. 20 The Town Hall Theater Halowell ME w/ Dirigo 9:00
Jan. 18 Nectar's Burlington Vt w/Patience 9:00
Jan. 14 Higherground Burlinton VT Soule Monde 10:00 for the Vermont Music Summit
Jan. 14 CastleRock Sugarbush VT Soule Monde 3-6
Jan. 6 The Hostel Sugarbush VT Soule Monde (Russ Lawton-Ray Paczkowski) 9-1
Jan. 5 The Smokehouse Sugarbush VT w/ Honeywell feat. Ray Paczkowski 9-1

2011

Dec. 31 Higher Ground W/ The Grippo Funk Band 10PM Burlington VT
Dec. 31 The Flynn Space W/ Lowell Thomson 8PM Burlington VT
Dec. 16 Red Square W/ Bob Wagner 9:00 PM Burlington VT
Dec. 10 Nectar's W/ The Grippo Funk Band 10 PM Burlington VT
Dec. 9 The Black Door w/ Bruce Skylar 9:00 PM Montpelier VT

Soule Monde - Soule Monde
Rhythmo Loco - All Time Low
Rhythmo Loco - Couldn't Let You Go (single)
Rhythmo Loco - Low Tide (single)