Jack Russell
b. USA. Formed in 1929 in Waukegan, Illinois, USA, Jack Russell's Orchestra concentrated its activities in the Chicago area. Before launching the band at the Valencia Ballroom in September 1929, Russell had previously worked alongside another popular dance band, the Kentuckians. Later he secured bookings at the Drake Hotel, the Granada Cafe and the Vanity Fair. They also played at the World's Fair in 1933. Another round of Chicago venues followed; the Congress Hotel, the Canton Tea Gardens, the Merry Garden Ballroom and the Morrison Hotel Terrace Garden. A rare foray outside of the Illinois area followed at the Grand Beach Hotel in Michigan in 1934. Their longest engagement came at the Melody Mill Ballroom, a three-year stint ending in 1937. After further bookings at the Trianon and Aragon Ballrooms, the group were the subject of a sponsored radio show, the CBS network's Dodge Program, in 1940. However, soon after Russell would retire from bandleading to concentrate on a new career as a talent agent.
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