Bandleader Russ Anixter: Hippie Big Band & Reimagining Rock Through Jazz
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Arranger, Orchestrator & Bandleader Russ Anixter on his 2026 project What’s Next? On this new release, Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band transforms familiar rock, funk, fusion and jam-band repertoire into something entirely new — music driven by orchestration, groove, humor and improvisation.
Rather than simply recreate the originals, the ensemble treats each song as raw material for reimagination. Big-band arranging meets the spirit of rock and jam music, creating a sound that is unmistakably Anixter while still honoring the…
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