Nell Russ

Nell Russ first heard traditional Irish tunes around a campfire in a mountain forest, and feels deeply connected to the sound of nature and wildness in the music. She is known for embracing the old sounds of “pure drop” Irish music, raw and harkening to the older days, to rocks and trees and wind - it’s been said that she and her extra-big, growly fiddle sound like they just crawled down from the hills of Clare. She loves that in this digital age, where everything from jobs to books to art are being automated, live music and dance are still intrinsically connected and shoring up folk communities around the world, just as it’s been for hundreds of years. Through the synchrony and magic of music, she gained the mentorship of a like-minded soul, her now-husband Dale Russ, and has been performing with him since 2023. Nell is a stalwart of the Pacific Northwest Session scene, organizing monthly sessions and performances at the steeped and storied Conor Byrne Pub. You can find her teaching and playing festivals, dances, sessions, and concerts around the Pacific Northwest.