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 Trey Anastasio, front man of the band Phish. Collaborating with Trey includes co-writing songs from Phish's "Farmhouse" CD (featuring the Grammy-nominated song First Tube), Trey's first solo CD, entitled "Trey Anastasio", the live "Plasma" CD, and "Live at the Warfield Theatre" DVD with Trey and Carlos Santana, as well as his three latest releases "The Horseshoe Curve", "Tab At The Tab Live" in Atlanta, and “Traveler.”  

Russ also tours with his fellow TAB band-member, Ray Paczkowski in the Vermont Funk duo, Soule Monde.  When not with Trey or Soule Monde, Russ plays with a variety of other musicians whose repertoire includes blues, funk, country, and rock. Other notable work includes the music for the independent movies "Mud Season", Mike Gordon's "Outside Out" and "Left Hand Path", LaMP, a supergroup featuring Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) alongside Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski - and too many others to list. You can check our Russ's full discography here.

Russ plays Gretsch drums, Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth sticks.