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Nicholas Russo Obituary
McConahay, Ara Vino (Janet)
Angela Russo, Nichols Russo, Christopher Russo, Katie Russo and great-granddaughters, Chianna Jade McConahay and soon to be born Sophia Bella Vino; brothers, John Russo (Leona), Tony Russo (Marilyn); sisters-in-law, Margarite Russo and Minnie DeSantis; an aunt, Yolanda Link; numerous nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Catherine Russo, daughter, Judith Vino, son Guy Russo, Brother Joseph Russo, brothers-in-law Fred DeSantis and Bud Turner. Services will be held at 2PM, Saturday February 19th at the "Church on South Ferncreek", 3839 South Fern Creek Ave. Orlando 407-859-1428. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Central and North Florida Chapter. Arrangements entrusted to Dove Funeral Home 407-851-1983.
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Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Russo
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richard black
July 21, 2024
i so enjoyed his band a disney world i would go to other things while they on break and come back when they did
Debra + Joe De Bartolo
February 14, 2024
My Dad, Mom, husband Joe +I would regularly watch/listen to many many performances at WDW 1970's. Lost my Dad 1978 +Our Family have fond memories of Mr. Russo + his band. We really admired them!
John Morris
April 30, 2023
I was a roommate with Rich Hoff and Ken Davies who were with Gabriel´s Brass. Nick became a good friend and took me along on several trips the Brass made. I miss him to this day.
Scotti Spiegel
October 23, 2020
I have such fond memories of Nick Russo and Gabriel's Brass at WDW in the 70's. My Dad "Bob Raymond" would take my sister Tracy and I to see them play (he used to work in the Magic Kingdom at the time). Thank you for the wonderful music and memories. You will be missed. God Bless
March 19, 2020
One of my best memories in life was visiting Disney World just to see Nick and Gabriel's Brass. One of those trips was my High School Senior night in the summer of 1977.
What a great performer and memory maker.
God Bless
George Piazza
Tampa, Fl
DeBartolo Family
February 11, 2020
This was an amazing man +band! We watched him perform many times at Walt Disney World,while my Dad[ veteran] was still alive 1973 until 1978. God Bless you Nick, Family + Friends! miss you
Renee Barcelona
January 16, 2017
Theres a pic up there called "Gabriels Brass" my parents & I saw them at DisneyWorld. I was 14. The biggies were Styx, Chicago, Lighthouse, B,S,& T.
This Band played all that & more. They were at tight as Doc Sevrenson's band.
We were there to embrace 'Disney' and what that was all about. We were walking around after 2 'rides' and 10 feet from us a 'Merry-Go-Round' sized
Cake (for lack of a better word) rises up out of the ground from under the
street. These guys were already playing, unreal. My parents & I looked at each other like, 'what are thee odds' !!!! They played 1&1/2 hours. We were mezmerized. They asked where the audience was from, we yelled 'Chicago'
They say, we know that one... they started playing 'Chicago' songs. What a remarkable, memorable vacation! They end the set going back underground.
We went to eat, came back 1 hour later to watch them again. People ask, 'what did you do at DisneyWorld?' "I saw & heard 'Gabriels Brass'!!!"
DeBartolo Family
December 9, 2016
Our family enjoyed his music for years at Disney World. My dad all of us would go to every performance time scheduled for each day we were there. Truly a great musician nice person, he will be remembered fondly!
Fr Michael Kirkland
August 27, 2014
God rest the soul of beloved Nick...I did lights & sound for him at Walt Disney World in the early 1970's...Memory Eternal...
John Branzer
September 13, 2013
The Gus Heim mouthpiece that Nick gave to me was not the battered, banged up one that he played, but his back-up. It was in perfect brand new condition. He gave it to me on one of the tours that we did with Art Mooney in the New York area. I'll never forget I was standing in the New York Airport after I arrived from Florida when somebody walked up behind me and grabbed me and lifted me off the ground, and I said, "Hi Nick, put me down, I know it is you!" Nick was very strong, physically, in addition to being a powerful lead trumpet player; he was a lumber-jack in his young days in Canada. RIP Nick, we miss you.
John Branzer
September 12, 2013
Nick gave me his mouthpiece as a present. It is a Gus Heim #2, and it is the same model mouthpiece that Harry James started on. Stu, your description of Nick is right on the money! What a great guy and a great player!
Stewart Brenner
September 11, 2013
My second professional job in 1964 was a 10 day run featuring Ella Fitzgerald. The gig was at the Deauville Hotel on Miami Beach. Nick was the lead trumpet at the hotel. What a powerful player. He demonstrated a level of leadership that I felt but was not experienced enough to understand until many years later. I do remember the trumpet with the large bell. It was a Martin. The person who made the trumpet was Reynold Shilke. The pitted mouthpiece he used was a Heim (maybe a #1). I was an awestruck kid and he was always very nice to me. Thanks Nick for the inspiration.
John Branzer
September 8, 2013
Nick was a close and dear friend, who I was fortunate to meet in the late 50s through band leader Gene Roy. Nick was an incredible player and person. His wife, Jean, was also a superb person. I am very proud and happy to have become a personal friend of these fine people.
Nick and I did many tours of the United States with name bands, the most notable ones being with the Art Mooney Band. Playing on Art's band was my 1st opportunity to play with Nick, as he was close friends with Art Mooney and Gene Roy, an these people did unbelievable things to give me a great career in the music business.
To this day, I have never played with a trumpet player who was as strong as Nick. I remember like it was yesterday, playing my 1st rehearsal for "Holiday On Ice." Nick played all of the lead by himself for the rehearsal and two shows, and me, as a kid in the late 50s got wasted after the 1st 15 minutes. Boy, what a trumpet section that was:
Nick Russo
Vinnie Tanno
Al Porcino
Tommy Di Carlo
John Branzer
Later on, I was fortunate to be able to have Nick be the lead trumpet for my own "Big Band" for several years, until Nick moved to Orlando where he became a featured show.
Several of us were talking about Nick a few days ago, and everybody still agrees, that he was a unique person in the music industry.
They are now showing a lot of re-runs of the old Jackie Gleason TV Shows, and it is great to listen to Nick's great lead playing once again.
RIP Nick, we love and miss you.
Charlie Edwards
September 7, 2013
I just read the obit. I used to work at 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Disney, right next to the Fantasyland stage where I first heard Nick Russo & Gabriel's Brass. I'll never forget his shows. A great musician.
David Spring
December 23, 2011
I saw Gabriel's Brass numerous times as I visited Walt Disney World in the later 1970's. His band and music was an important part of my high school years as it inspired me to become a better musician. Over the years, I've also recounted many a good time sitting there in the Fantasy Land audience listening to him play his horn. To this day "And I Love You So", "Shaft", "Rocky" and other great tunes still play in my thoughts. Thank you Nick...
Bennett McLeod
September 8, 2011
Nick was one of the big musical inspirations of my life. I’ll never forget strolling past fantasy faire and suddenly seeing the stage come up out of the floor with Nick and his 11 member jazz/rock Gabriel’s Brass band. I was 15 at the time and was absolutely transfixed. Over the next few years, as I studied my way through high school, I was fortunate enough to be able to see Nick and the band on a regular basis. Disney’s admission to the park back then was only $5.00 (all the rides were sold as A,B,C,D, and E tickets) so almost every weekend in the summertime we would drive down from DeLand, pay the $5.00 admission and proceed to Fantasy Faire where we would be inspired by 5 half hour shows. It was the best musical education a young student could possibly hope for. I spoke with Nick many times and he was always very supportive.
28 years later, I ran into a member of Nick’s DeLand big band - he was visiting Branson and came on the Showboat where I was working. When he told me this, I sent him home with our two CDs and a note telling Nick how much of an inspiration he had been to me. I later tried to contact him when I visited DeLand but was unsuccessful. I hope he got what I sent. I’ve always regretted not being able to tell him in person what a great inspiration he was to me.
Diane Levendakes
August 11, 2011
I was a big fan of the band and 'Nick' from the first time I saw them at Walt Disney World! I have thought of them many times. I have to say I was only 12 years old, but never forgot those fond memories of Fantasyland on a hot summer night. God bless you. I know you are in heaven playing for Jesus!
Robert Pulliam
June 28, 2011
I first heard of Nick when I went to the Magic Kingdom with a college music group about '80. In what was then called the Tomorrowland Terrace I saw this band set up, this old guy sitting in front on a stool with this trumpet with an oversized bell. I started to make my way to the food counter and the band kicked off and I heard this searing, powerful soloing and turned around to see the old guy blowing up a storm. I'd never heard anyone play that way in person before and was really blown away.
.
Many years later I got to play with Nick in the Deltona/Daytona area with different local bands. He was semi-retired but still blowing up a storm, still had that huge, singing tone. He had that same old mouthpiece that was pitted from age and saliva acid. Looked like someone had taken a ball peen hammer to it. Terry Warburton (local mouthpiece maker) told me Nick wouldn't let him buff it out, just wanted it cleaned up and replated. Nick let me try it once, I couldn't even play on it but he sounded fantastic on it. I recall he was a great "coach" - lit a fire under me to get me to really put it out there when playing lead.
.
I ran across an album of Nick's from years ago and converted it to CD and sent it to Nick - the photo on the obit is the same one that's on that album. My condolences to Nick's family.
Michael DiSalvo
April 17, 2011
Dear Mrs. Russo and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of Nick's passing. I met him once when I was a child at Walt Disney World. I had just started playing the trumpet then and Nick was an incredible inspiration to me. After the show, I met him and he signed a record for me. I will never forget Nick. God Bless him and your family.
Michael DiSalvo
Royal Palm Beach, FL
April 1, 2011
I was fortunate to see Nick play in Gabriel's Brass when I was performing at Walt Disney World with the Leatherneck Drum and Bugle Corp. I was about 15 years old and he inspired me to be a better musician. Jim Epperson (Debary, Fl)
Tom Fox
March 14, 2011
I met Nick in 1980 while playing a Liberace tour in Fla. We met again in '83 when I auditioned for Disney in Orlando. He was very supportive of me and I always loved seeing him.
Ray Brooks
March 14, 2011
I was fortunate enough to be Nick's assistant for 2 years when the Holiday on Ice put their annual touring show together in Knoxville, Tennessee. They would rehearse the show for a week and then perform the first week of their season there. I learned more playing next to Nick than I ever learned from any other trumpet player. I was 25 years old. And I'm still playing and leading a band at age 65.
Ray Brooks
Knoxville, Tennessee
Michael Wyatt
March 13, 2011
I met him ONE time on a Big Band cruise. I was playing with Buddy Morrow and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He was fun to talk too. He was playing with the Bob Crosby Band. He sounded GREAT! Inspiring!
John Branzer
March 1, 2011
Hi Jean:
Please accept my sincerest condolences at the loss of your husband, Nick. Nick was a special person in my life, as were you, and I consider all of you to be family.
My abilities as a trumpet artist were raised to an extremely high level due to Nick's influence and friendship. I remember like it was yesterday, when I first met Nick through Art Mooney and Gene Roy, and the great musical adventures I was able to share with Nick, from Sammie Davis, Jr. Frank Sinatra, Holiday On Ice, and much more.
The first time I played with Nick was on Holiday On Ice, when I was 17, and I had never heard anything like Nick just wailing away on lead trumpet, all by himself. He was, indeed, a superman on the trumpet, and perfect gentleman, in addition.
I will miss him greatly, and I know he will rest in peace.
Julie Russo-Heath
February 22, 2011
Dear Aunt Jean, Alvi and family,
The midnight trips with Uncle Nick to the Artic Circle are some of my fondest memories as a child. He touched the hearts of many with his music and will be missed.
Ron Turner
February 21, 2011
Jean, I am so sorry for your loss. Nick was a truly great man, husband and trumpeter. I had the pleasure to play lead trumpet in Gabriels Brass from about 1972-1976. It was a great high powered "Chase" type of band and Nick was amazing every night. This loss to the trumpet world is a double shock because a couple of days earlier we lost the great lead trumpet player Johnny Bello. I am blessed to have known them, worked with them and learned so much from them. They will be missed but never forgotten. Ron Turner, Atlanta, Ga
John & Lee Russo
February 21, 2011
Brother, you will be missed. Jean, Lee and I will always have fond memories of our times together on world vacations and family fun times. Our hearts are with you.
Nicky Russo
February 21, 2011
My earliest memories of my uncle were when he would chase us kids around the house making his horn sound like a wild horse on the run. What a wonderful man. Aunt Jean our Las Vegas hearts and thoughts are with you, now and forever.
Ronnie Cole
February 19, 2011
Jeanie, Alvi and Jim, I love you all. You (and all of us guys who had the honor of playing with Nick Russo and Gabriel's Brass) have been blessed. I first heard the Brass while I was playing with the US Navy Band in Orlando. I was floored. If only I could play with that band. I played French horn and banjo.? Sure. I auditioned and went home. The next day on the Dialing for Dollars movie on TV, Nick was the guest. Russ Wheeler asked him what was happening. Nick said "we're adding a French horn". The next week, Nick walked into the bowling alley I was working at and handed me my folder. It might as well have been Frank Sinatra. My life changed. Nick will always be a rock star to me. Thanks for sharing him with us. One of 'the guys'
Will Rogers
February 19, 2011
Jeannie, Alvi, Jim and family, my heart and love is with you as always during this time of lost. Nick, as we all know was a good Husband, Father, Musician and very fair Man. Upon graduating from college is when I first met Nick Russo, he was putting together a band for the opening of Disney World in Orlando. I audition for the group and my life changed. Nick gave me the opportunity to get back on my feet after a year of not playing due to Belles Palsy, and for that I will always be grateful. Gabriel’s horn will lead forever and always be heard.
February 19, 2011
to my dearest aunt Jean and Alvi, Jim, Brian and Michael and your family, Ara and your family. Our prayers are with you always, he will be greatly missed our favorite uncle Nick.
Love Greg,Patti, Sean & Erin ,Justin, Mackenzie and Hunter.(Kingsville, Ontario Canada)
February 19, 2011
I had the pleasure of playing with Gabriel's Brass from 1974 until 1977. I made some good friends during that time and had a good time playing for a great man. Nick was O.K. I'm sorry for your loss,Jean. Larry Hunsicker
Richard & Joan Santagelo
February 18, 2011
Many years ago, when Disney first opened, we would always go to see Gabriel's Brass MANY times during the night. We would frequently have the nieces and nephew along. We loved Nic and the band, then to visit with Jean. What a great man!
Harold Maxwell
February 17, 2011
Papa Nick was and always will be remembered as a kind, gentle and loving man that enriched our lives and all the lives he touched. He will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts and minds.
Harold Maxwell
Nick Russo & Gabriel's Brass 1975
Joe Adcock
February 17, 2011
Nick hired me into Gabriel's Brass when I was 17. It was a bold and altruistic gesture, to hire one as immature as I. Nick was my first band leader, therefore, I did not fully appreciate the kindness he had shown, or the level of quality that he demonstrated as a leader and as a person, until subsequent years of experience made it obvious. I am forever grateful to Nick, for giving me that first chance to record & perform with him, in a truly great band, with a great leader. I pray that The Lord will comfort his wife, Jean, and their family in this time of mourning. I cheer and celebrate Nick and the memory of his life on earth, as well as the life everlasting, which Nick celebrates now, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Ken Davies
February 17, 2011
I joined Gabriel's Brass just before we began at Walt Disney World and remained the full ten years. I will always be grateful to Nick, Jean, Jim and Alvie not only for the opportunity to play with a great band, but also for the opportunity to see how great people like they manage and care for such a band.
Dennis Hanson
February 17, 2011
I will be ever thankful to Nick, who for several years encouraged me to get a horn and get back playing after some 40 years. Because of his faith in me I still enjoy back playing for six years after my retirement.
I will miss you and your sweet music. God bless you. With much love.
Dennis and Jessie Hanson
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