A group of twelve musicians standing outdoors against a stone wall, holding various musical instruments such as saxophones, trumpet, and clarinet, smiling and posing for a photo.
Concert poster for Russ Anixter's HIppe Big Band, featuring large white text on a black background.
PRESS KIT

Announcing our new CD "What Is?" by Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band

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Announcing our new CD "What Is?" by Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band -

Arrangements by Russ Anixter

Saxes and woodwinds: Matt Hong, Stan Harrison and Frank Vacin

Trumpet and Flugel Horn: Matt Owens

French Horn: Audrey Flores

Trombone: Dan Levine

Bass Trombone: Jack Schatz

Vibes, Xylophone, Congas and Toys: Bill Hayes

Guitar: Michael Aarons

Bass: Steve Count

Drums: Scott Neumann

Guests artists: Steven Bernstein on Slide Trumpet and Oz Noy on Guitar.

Produced by Russ Anixter, Dan Levine and John Kilgore.

Learn more

Writing For The Band

In this conversation, we talk to Russ Anixter about his journey through the United States from California to NYC. How he got started as now one of the most successful and sought after music copyists for Broadway and more, as well as the start of his "Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band."

Watch the Full Interview
Book cover titled 'What Is?' featuring a colorful illustration of jazz musicians playing instruments, with a background of jazz CDs and a sticker indicating an interview series with Joe DiMino about jazz music in March 2025.

The Neon Jazz Podcast

In this Podcast of the Neon Jazz interview series, Joe Dimino sits down with arranger, bandleader, musician, and copyist Russ Anixter. We dive into the journey behind his highly anticipated 2025 album, What Is? with the Hippie Big Band—a project that has been a lifelong dream and is earning rave reviews.

Watch the full interview

Conversations with Jonas Manashowitz

In August of 2024 I was a guest on a Staten Island talk show. Jonas and I talk about my origins in music, putting together The Hippie Big Band, preparing to record our CD, What Is?, and other music topics.

Watch the full interview
Two men seated at a table in a TV studio with a brick wall background, a large screen displaying the word 'CONVERSATIONS', and city lights outside a window. One man has long hair and glasses, the other is bald with glasses, and there is a coffee cup and a hat on the table.

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An orchestra performing on stage with a conductor leading, audience seated in the background, colorful stage lighting illuminating the scene.

An orchestra performing on stage with a conductor leading, audience seated in the background, colorful stage lighting illuminating the scene.

A group of musicians, including saxophone players, performing on a stage with red curtains and decorative wood paneling, while a man in a black jacket and hat appears to be conducting or speaking to the band.

A group of musicians, including saxophone players, performing on a stage with red curtains and decorative wood paneling, while a man in a black jacket and hat appears to be conducting or speaking to the band.

A group of musicians on stage during a live performance at the Crooning Room, with some holding musical instruments such as saxophones and a microphone, and there is a stage set-up with colorful lights and a red curtain in the background.

A group of musicians on stage during a live performance at the Crooning Room, with some holding musical instruments such as saxophones and a microphone, and there is a stage set-up with colorful lights and a red curtain in the background.

A live music performance shows a woman with a hat and striped shirt singing and dancing on stage, with people seated at tables with sheet music and musical instruments, including trumpets, in a dimly lit venue with red and yellow lighting.

A live music performance shows a woman with a hat and striped shirt singing and dancing on stage, with people seated at tables with sheet music and musical instruments, including trumpets, in a dimly lit venue with red and yellow lighting.

A jazz band performing on stage at the Cutting Room, with musicians playing saxophone, trombone, and double bass, under red and black curtains with star-like lights.

A jazz band performing on stage at the Cutting Room, with musicians playing saxophone, trombone, and double bass, under red and black curtains with star-like lights.

A man playing percussion instruments on stage at a jazz or blues club with a sign reading 'Jazz Potting Room' in the background.

A man playing percussion instruments on stage at a jazz or blues club with a sign reading 'Jazz Potting Room' in the background.

Musicians performing on stage at a live music venue with a neon sign reading "Cutting Room". The main focus is a man playing an electric guitar, while other band members play instruments such as saxophone and keyboard. The background features stage l

Musicians performing on stage at a live music venue with a neon sign reading "Cutting Room". The main focus is a man playing an electric guitar, while other band members play instruments such as saxophone and keyboard. The background features stage lights and a dark curtain.

An older man with glasses playing a trombone in a dimly lit music venue, with a focus on his facial expression and instrument, surrounded by other musicians and a music stand.

An older man with glasses playing a trombone in a dimly lit music venue, with a focus on his facial expression and instrument, surrounded by other musicians and a music stand.

Musicians performing in a concert, a man playing a trombone and another man playing a saxophone, both focused and immersed in their music. Stage lighting is dark with red curtains in the background.

Musicians performing in a concert, a man playing a trombone and another man playing a saxophone, both focused and immersed in their music. Stage lighting is dark with red curtains in the background.

Three musicians performing on stage: a man with glasses playing a trumpet, a woman playing a flute, and a man with a bass instrument in the background, all under stage lighting.

Three musicians performing on stage: a man with glasses playing a trumpet, a woman playing a flute, and a man with a bass instrument in the background, all under stage lighting.

A bald man with glasses playing a saxophone on stage, with another musician in the background.

A bald man with glasses playing a saxophone on stage, with another musician in the background.

Photo of a restaurant window with a sign that reads "CUTTING ROOM" and pictures of a band called "Russ Anixer Hippie Big Band" performing on Friday at 9:30 PM on March 29. The display includes musical instruments like drums and a photo of the band me

Photo of a restaurant window with a sign that reads "CUTTING ROOM" and pictures of a band called "Russ Anixer Hippie Big Band" performing on Friday at 9:30 PM on March 29. The display includes musical instruments like drums and a photo of the band members.