Arthur Russell (born
Charles Arthur Russell, Jr.; May 21, 1951 – April 4, 1992) was an
American cellist,
composer, singer and musician whose work spanned a disparate range of styles. Trained in contemporary experimental composition and
Indian classical music, Russell found success in New York's
underground avant-garde and
disco scenes in the 1970s and 1980s, during which time he was associated with the experimental music venue
The Kitchen. Notable artists with whom Russell collaborated over the course of his career include
Steve Reich,
Allen Ginsberg,
Philip Glass,
Talking Heads,
Jennifer Warnes,
Bootsy Collins, and
Nicky Siano.