Jonathan Russell, bass clarinet, is a composer, clarinetist, and bass clarinetist. He creates music by turns tender and fierce, playful and profound, raw and refined, propulsive and still. In his work, he seeks to embody and express the full range of human experience in a way that speaks directly to people’s hearts, minds, and bodies. The extraordinary sound and spirit of the bass clarinet is a driving force behind much of Jonathan’s work. His numerous compositions for bass clarinet(s) include solo works, sonatas, concertos, duets, trios, quartets, chamber works, and large bass clarinet ensembles. He is half of the Sqwonk bass clarinet duo with Jeff Anderle, and is founder and leader of Improbable Beasts, a 15-member professional bass clarinet ensemble in the Boston area. When not making music, Jonathan loves exploring cities, hiking, reading, playing word games, and improv comedy (both watching it and feebly attempting to do it himself). He currently lives in Cambridge, MA.