Biography
Pictured here receiving first place in MARS 2015 Songwriting Competition, Russell writes songs of personal and social transformation. Inspired by playing warm-up for Van Morrison, Brutsché toured Canada in the 80's with Small Town Band. In 2014 Nashville performer/producer Kacey Jones covered "Climbed A Hill" from his CD Restless Heart, and Mike Greenleaf released his version of Brutsché's "Westbound" in summer 2018. Brutsché's new album "California Style" is available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora and others, and in hard copy at concerts.
" I listen to the following songs on repeat from your California album (guessing on titles because the CD is in my car, ready to be played): California, Bubble, Caribbean Cruise, Plastic Man. California brings me to tears, Caribbean Cruise makes me grin from ear to ear, Bubble feels like truth wrapped in truth, and Plastic Man is a delightful way to show that our assumptions can be completely backwards in a world filled with moral assumptions"--Lira Filippini, co-chair, Our downtown Our future, Santa Cruz 12/4/22
"Brutsché examines modern existential questions, in sixteen tracks with enticing melodies, clear lyrics with a mixture of genres, from folk to rhythm and blues, country to calypso--have listened to it over and over"--Sarah Ringler, editor, Serf City Times 2/4/22
"Interesting juxtapositions of historical icons...underneath much of Brutsché's work is a critique of a consumerist society and how we spend our days in its thrall"--Wallace Baine, Santa Cruz Sentinel 5/6/10
PAINTINGS
Russell has been painting since early childhood. He attended San Jose State University, graduating with scholarship honors in fine art in1968, and has since been in numerous one-person and group shows throughout California, Colorado, Arizona and Japan. In 2001 he had a one-person exhibit at the Museum of Northeast Nevada, as featured in VIA magazine. In 2008 his illustrations were used as book covers for novels "Iowa Terror" and "Guests of the Nation" by author Mike Palecek, and in 2017 for "Love in a Time of Climate Change" by Sharon Delgado. His art has been featured on CDs by Mike McKinley, Kacey Jones, Perry Devine and Laurie Jennings/Dana Keller among others. Please visit gallery on this site.
"Beyond just capturing natural beauty on canvas, his majestic scenes include subtle juxtapositions, suffused by his passion for shedding light on socio-cultural ironies and injustices in the world"--Santa Cruz Good Times 10/4/12
CALENDAR/EVENTS
I'm performing new songs, and also ones from my CDs, mostly about Santa Cruz! Suggested donation $10 at door.
"Rebranding Santa Cruz" refers to our city government's ambitions for developing Santa Cruz through housing, business and a large new sports arena. Concerns are that it will erode our small beach-town history.
New originals, earlier work, prints & cards, and surprise guest artist!
The whimsical and elegant squirming squid drawings of Phoenix & Arabeth will debut in downtown Santa Cruz on September 9th at #7 Squid Row. The exhibit will be accompanied by music (Russell Brutsché, Headin South String Band, Dr Now & Professor Pow, and the Junkyard Gamelan), as well as comedy (DNA and Tony Camin), juggling, and a tiny flea circus. Come enjoy this “Squidiculous” celebration, from 4 to 9 pm, and help raise funds for our own local Food Not Bombs. $20 suggested donation.
Santa Cruz High-rise paintings on display again, w/city model, and songs about High-rise!
Santa Cruz Hi-rise, featuring downtown 3-D map model!
Paintings and Songs about hi-rise development in Santa Cruz. A poem from the community for each painting! $10 suggested donation--or buy some art & music!
I'll be performing several songs to introduce David. David writes high-energy songs about our world--check him out on Youtube! Also appearing will be my friends the Healer Trio. Sponsored by local Veterans for Peace.
I’m thrilled to do a warm-up set of my songs before Skarlett Woods in concert, Saturday Nov.19, 7 pm, 260 15th Av, Santa Cruz. We’ve done a bit of song-smithing together, and she is the real deal! And p.s.--Song Nelson has promised to help me sing our duet Come Out to California... Show-up is fine, but if you know you’re coming, I’d appreciate an email heads-up...thanks!
A mini-film festival, celebrating local movies, including 4 of mine! Proceeds go to Our Downtown, Our Future, for building a downtown commons. My art will be available by silent auction.
Join in for a festive, family-friendly demonstration in support of affordable housing and to oppose the construction of a luxury hotel at the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union building and the two adjacent City-owned lots. I'll sing a couple songs about it!! Gather: Saturday, June 4 at 1PM by the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union building at 324 Front Street. Because this is about community, and community is joyous, join us for games, performances, music, calls to togetherness, and art-making. Because this is about stopping something truly reprehensible, we will also have protest signs and fiery speeches, protest songs and games .
Another intimate CD Release Party! Free event, CD's and art available. Most of the seating is sunny...I’d suggest wearing layers, maybe a hat and a cushion. Walk up driveway to redwood gate on right. If it’s rainy, will postpone... There will be seating for only the first 30 that show up--having it on 2 days helps spread attendance out! Doors open 1:30 pm. If you’re planning to attend, an email would help for planning, but we can’t hold seats in advance.
I'll be showcasing songs from my new CD, along with Aireene Espiritu and several other songwriters.
Putting an initiative on the ballot to keep Farmers' Market & Downtown Library where they are! We are throwing a party to mark our progress and get ready for the LAST BIG PUSH for signatures! We are almost there. We hope you will be able to come! I'll sing a few songs and screen new video "Santa Cruz Girl".
Host Rachel Goodman and I will talk about my new album California Style--I'll play a few cuts live from my studio!
Sat-Sun Oct 9-10-16-17, 11-5 pm. I'll have new paintings, also prints, cards, CD's. I'll also be hosting artist Beloved Bolton--come see!
PUSH The Film will be shown one time in Santa Cruz at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, August 15, 6:30 pm. The movie will be preceded by discussions about the future of the city. Russell Brutsché will perform.
My art is featured in the permanent collection at MAH, celebrating 25 years of history. Other pieces include David Hockney, Nathan Oliveira. Please check MAH website for hours.
Celebrate Earth Day downtown, April 24, 1 to 5 pm, corner Cathcart and Cedar. Music by Russell Brutsché, Michael Levy and Peter Weiss, Elie Mabanza, Anthony Arya, and Gina René. Art exhibit, art tables, and lots of info about community activities. Event is free. Masks and social distancing required. Bring your own chair and water. See you there! Please share. Organized by the Downtown Commons Association and the Santa Cruz Climate Action Network.
New work will be shown, 'The Jacks Are Back", as part of First Friday events.
Original songs by Russell Brutsché, Peter Weiss, Michael Levy, with Gail Swain. Event is a benefit for Stop0 the Santa Cruz Recalls.
Valentine's Day Singalong--mostly golden oldies!
My studio will be open Sat-Sun Oct 5, 6, 19, 20, 11 to 5 p.m. Come on by!
Healer Trio is Gail Swain, Claire Paul, & Karen Katz, vocals, and Russell Brutsché, guitar. I will also do a solo set of some of my new material.
Original tunes that will tickle your brain and funny bone Wed. Aug. 28 at 7:30pm $10 adv./$10 door seated <21 w/parent Join us for the launch of “Folking Funny”. Janet Croteau, the creator of “Women Who Folking Rock” is joined by witty, clever songsters: Russell Brutsche, Michael Gaither, Hannah Cooper, and Midyne Spear.
This year I painted the poster!! If you'd like one, they are $25--email me! The Wharf to Wharf Race is a 6 mile footrace from the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Capitola Wharf. 2019 marks the 47th annual running of the iconic event. All proceeds go directly back to the the running community and the youth of Santa Cruz County.
The contest runs 6:30-9pm at Morro Bay Wine Seller, 601 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-8388. No cover charge. 21 & Over Only. Last month I won Best overall! I've been invited to compete for the $500 grand prize in the finals on June 4.
Showcases are Mondays 6:30-9pm at Morro Bay Wine Seller, 601 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-8388. The showcase includes one featured act, playing a 45-minute set to close out the night, and others playing 4-song sets. No cover charge, but we pass the tip bucket for the featured act. 21 & Over Only.
Songwriters At Play holds showcases every Sunday, 1-4 pm at Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Road, Paso Robles, 805-226-8881. The showcase includes one featured act, playing a 45-minute set, and others playing 4-song sets. We pass the tip jar during the featured set, otherwise no cover. All ages are welcome.
Music of Peace, Love and Social Justice: Songs that Inspire, Heal, Energize and Connect. Come away with Full Hearts! Healer Trio is Gail Swain, Claire Paul, & Karen Katz, vocals, and Russell Brutsché, guitar Gail Swain: “Acappella Goddess”...Joan Baez Healer Trio: ”Tight harmonies & joyful rhythms”...Steve Bare Featuring Richard Salzberg & Al Globus vocal, guitar & piano Healer Trio: ”This is glorious”...Jeffrey Bell, flamenco guitarist
Fun progressive community event, featuring all levels of performance. Potluck at 5, music at 7.
Critical scholars Karen Bray, Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Wesleyan College, and Whitney Bauman, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University, address implications of impending human extinction. Time for conversations and refreshment. I'll be performing several songs, and exhibiting paintings. More info: Jim Weller, jweller@cruzio.com
A supportive coming-together of songwriters, pro & beginner! Workshops, song-sharing--put together your own program. I'll be showing my art, and talking about how it informs my writing.
New songs, personal as well as political.
New work will be shown, as part of First Friday events. Also, I will be doing a CONCERT OF MY ORIGINAL SONGS there Friday Nov 9, 7 pm, during the two-month exhibit, featuring songs you haven't heard! Prints, cards and CDs will be available. RCNV regular hours are M-Th 12-4 pm.
Please join us at our Garage Alternatives Party, 3-5pm on Saturday, September 22 at the Walnut Commons Co-Housing, 190 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. Our guest speaker is reporter Melanie Curry of California Streetsblog, speaking on the Gap Between our Climate Goals and our Transportation Policy. There will be food to eat and drinks to drink. (Consider bringing whatever drink you like.) And Rus Brutsché will be there with his guitar to provide music and songs. Please join us. Help us sabotage the Taj Garage! (text from Peter Scott at CFST)
Fun progressive community event, featuring all levels of performance. Potluck at 5, music at 7.
FIRST FRIDAY Reception: ARRT and the Pursuit of Hope, an Exhibit: July 14 – August 29
6:30 – 8:00: Grand Opening with Jazz and refreshments 8:00 to 9:30 Art & Politics: Moving Forward – A Community Conversation
Fun progressive community event, featuring all levels of performance. Potluck at 5, music at 7.
Three Santa Cruz songwriters share their original songs
CDs, Download Cards, Art Prints and Cards Available at Performances. Downloadable songs and CDs are also available from CD Baby online https://store.cdbaby/Artist/RussellBrutsche'
Contact
- Santa Cruz, California, United States
