Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band “What Next?”   

Following up on our acclaimed 2025 release, “What is?” I’m proud to present “What Next?” - with more of my arrangements for The Hippie Big Band. Smaller than a traditional big band, but bigger than a combo, we are a jazz band that plays rock music. We also play straight-ahead jazz, funk, pretty ballads and some free improvisation. Sometimes within the same arrangement.

The Hippie Big Band has given me the opportunity to combine craft and art (or arts and crafts.) I start with the different types of music that I love, and apply my masters degree in jazz composition from Manhattan School of Music where I was a student of Manny Albam and Rich Derosa. I add to that over 30 years as a music copyist for Broadway Shows where I learned orchestration for small and medium sized ensembles, and how to get more from less. All of these arrangements are written for these specific players who have all been with me now collectively since we all emerged from the pandemic.