[A tribute to Russell.]

Robin Russell died last week, at age 56. He was the founder and promoter of Roosevelt Island’s River Music concert series and the founder and director of the Island Arts Music Center.

The exact cause of death on February 27 is not yet known, even though an autopsy was performed. Russell died moments after minor surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital. That was a follow-up to a routine and successful procedure done earlier to deal with an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which left him with minor but uncontrolled bleeding at the point in his leg where a medical instrument had been inserted via a blood vessel. While the procedure to correct that was also routine and successful, shortly after its completion, he stopped breathing and his heart stopped. Medical personnel were unable to revive him.

Robin Russell leaves a son, Matthew, who is in his first year at Bennington College in Vermont. His wife and Matthew Russell’s mother, Rosemarie Van Zandt Russell, died in 2002. He is survived by a brother, Lucian. Plans are being made for a collection of contributions to assist in continuation of Matthew’s education; details on that will be reported by The WIRE when they become available, possibly in time for the March 24 issue.

Several residents and members of the Island Arts Music Center staff are working to ensure a continued existence for that school but, at The WIRE’s press deadline, nothing had been announced. Ralph Allen, who teaches violin, has agreed to have his phone number used as a single-point switchboard for sharing information. That number is 212-781-4320.

Though a resident of Greenwich Village, Robin Russell made himself a major figure in the cultural life of Roosevelt Island a dozen years ago as the founder of River Music, which put on an annual St. Patrick’s Day concert and dance performance at the Good Shepherd Community Center. He brought classical artists of considerable note to the Island, including guitarist Eliot Fisk, who was videotaped here for a film about Carnegie Hall’s program of neighborhood concerts.

Other classical artists included: The Eroica Trio, The United Nations Singers, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Galliard Wind quintet, the Jupiter Symphony Orchestra (with pianist Ruth Laredo), the Lyric Chamber Orchestra, and the Virtuoso String Orchestra. Jazz pianists included Barry Harris, Junior Mance, and Walter Bishop, Jr.

On the Fourth of July, 2000, he helped The Main Street WIRE stage a free big-band concert in Good Shepherd Plaza.

Russell established the Island Arts Music Center in 2003, offering private lessons that have drawn on the talents of many teachers. In addition, he recently conceived and created a music program for toddlers.

Robin Russell was born in Manhattan, educated at the Rudolph Steiner School and Collegiate School, during which he was a student at the Juilliard School of Music. He graduated from Harvard University in 1973. At the time of his death, he was organist and choir director at the Pompton Reformed Church in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, where a close-family-only funeral was held on Friday.

Roosevelt Islanders were shocked by the news of Russell’s death, at first not believing that he could be gone. Pianist Roy Eaton said, "I am one of the piano teachers Robin inspired to join his staff. I had been reluctant to teach, but he organized such an appealing program, in which I could focus on expanding the musical vision of students rather than being concerned about the ‘business.’ We will all miss his initiative and vision of enhancing the musical life of our Island." Debra Orenstein spoke of his "enthusiasm, energy, vision, and tenacity," calling him "incredibly talented." Matthew Russell’s godfather, Christopher Phillips, called his friend "an adventurer and a romantic at heart." Historical Society President Judith Berdy said he "worked tirelessly," adding, "I will miss Robin racing around the auditorium to make sure all was ready and personally perfecting every event." Dancer Marietta Clark of the Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance recalled "such joy in bringing music to the community."

A student cellist, Marianne Lau, said, "Robin was the kind of friend I thought of growing older with – really interested, excited about doing things." Lau spoke of Russell’s dream of concerts at Southpoint Park, "what we fondly called ‘A Gem in the Park.’ He was doing the leg work. He was getting very, very, very excited about music on boats that would dock at the Island and tour around the City via the waterways."