The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, as you all know, is remarkably special. It possesses all the finesse of the foremost ensembles in nearby metropolises, a brilliant spirit of innovation, and a soul steeped in the deep history and cultural mosaic of the Capitol Region. Music-making, whether classical or pops, is about creating emotional connection and relevance. It begins with programs of extraordinary works from every genre curated specifically to share nuanced stories. It is energized by embracing and celebrating the incredible artists, filmmakers, performers of all kinds, and musical styles of THIS place. It is sustained by nurturing the next generation of musicians and music lovers. These kinds of authentic musical experiences have the power to bring people together and change hearts. I look forward to this journey together.

John Morris Russell’s embrace of America’s unique voice and musical stories has transformed how orchestral performances connect and engage with audiences. As conductor of the world-renowned Cincinnati Pops Orchestra since 2011, the wide-range and diversity of his work as a musical leader, collaborator and educator continues to reinvigorate the musical scene throughout Cincinnati and across the continent. As Music Director of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina, Mr. Russell conducts the classical series as well as the prestigious Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

A GRAMMY®-nominated artist, JMR has worked with leading performers from across a variety of musical genres, including Aretha Franklin, Emanuel Ax, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Garrick Ohlsson, Rhiannon Giddens, Hilary Hahn, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster, George Takei, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson, Leslie Odom, Jr., Lea Salonga, Mandy Gonzalez, Rick Steves, and Bob Weir.

A popular guest conductor, Mr. Russell has worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops and the National Symphony of Washington, D.C. He frequently conducts Canadian orchestras including Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, and has led the orchestras of St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, Nashville and Minnesota, among many others. His work in opera and musical theater includes Cincinnati Opera, where he conducted its first production of Hans Krasá’s Brundibár , and the world premiere of Blind Injustice, which was released on CD in 2021. He has also worked with Wolf Trap Opera, New York City Ballet and led semi-staged productions of The Music Man and Ragtime with the Cincinnati Pops.

Since 2014, Mr. Russell has regularly led the National Orchestral Institute and Festival in College Park, Maryland, one of the nation’s premiere training orchestras. Dedicated to sharing the American musical experience with the newest generation, he helped develop and conducted the LinkUP! Educational concert series at Carnegie Hall between 1997-2009, a continuation of the program launched by Walter Damrosch in 1891 and later led by Leonard Bernstein; and has piloted educational programs with the symphony orchestras of Cincinnati, Windsor, and Hilton Head.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this season, Mr. Russell has led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s groundbreaking Classical Roots program, honoring and celebrating Black musical excellence, which has garnered record-breaking, in-person and online audiences. Featured artists have included Marvin Winans, Alton White, George Shirley, Common, Donald Lawrence and Hi Tek, as well the 150 voice Classical Roots Community Chorus, Nouveau Chamber Players and hundreds of regional actors, dancers, artists, singers and musicians.

Mr. Russell has contributed seven albums to the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra discography, including 2023’s holiday album JOY! In 2015, he created the “American Originals Project” which has won both critical and popular acclaim, and two landmark recordings: American Originals (the music of Stephen Foster) and the GRAMMY® nominated American Originals 1918 (a tribute to the dawn of the jazz age). Other American Originals concerts have included King Records and the Cincinnati Sound with Late Show pianist Paul Shaffer in 2020, and Harlem Renaissance with renowned jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, to be released as a live recording in spring of 2026. In 2025, JMR served as co-producer and conductor of American Public Television’s Rick Steves Europe: A Symphonic Journey carried on more than 300 PBS stations from coast to coast. During the Pops 25/26 season JMR performs Peter Boyer’s newest work American Mosaic with celebrated actor Martin Sheen. Mr. Russell’s American Soundscapes video series with The Pops and Cincinnati’s CET Public Television has surpassed one million views on YouTube since its launch in 2016

John Morris Russell served as Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (Ontario, Canada) between 2001- 2012 where he conducted over forty world premieres and recorded the Juno Award-nominated album of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. During his time with the WSO, he was a two-time recipient of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Arts. In 2011 the University of Windsor awarded him an Honorary Doctorate and the following year he was named the WSO’s first Conductor Laureate. JMR recently concluded his nine-year tenure as Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, following in the footsteps of Doc Severinsen and Marvin Hamlisch.

John Morris Russell earned degrees from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Williams College in Massachusetts, and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine.