Russell Churney

Russell Churney (10 September 1964 – 27 February 2007) was an English composer, pianist, arranger and musical director. He was also a member of the legendary comedy/cabaret group, "Fascinating Aïda". His sister is Ooberman keyboardist and vocalist Sophia Churney.

Biography

Personal life

Born as Lindsay Russell Churney in Liverpool, Churney was educated at Merchant Taylors' School in Great Crosby and Trinity College, Cambridge.

He died of pancreatic cancer, aged 42.

Memory

A memorial concert was held in his honour on the 29th June 2008. It was entitled "The Lovely Russell", and featured such performers as Barb Jungr, Sandi Toksvig, Fascinating Aida, Julian Clary and many others. All were friends or associates of Russell, with the exception of Sylvester McCoy, who donated one of his prop hats from his character in "Doctor Who". The proceeds of the concert went to Russell's favourite charities. [ [http://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1205 The Lovely Russell... | Bloomsbury Theatre ] ] [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118956.html Playbill News: "The Lovely Russell" Churney Will Be Remembered in London Charity Gala ] ]

Career

He spent seven years working with the comedian Julian Clary, touring extensively with Clary and singer Barb Jungr, and appearing with Jungr on Clary's Channel 4 TV series "Sticky Moments with Julian Clary". Together with Jungr, he devised and performed in shows including "Bare", "Killing Me Softly", "Songs From The Heart", "Chanson: The Space In Between", "Barb, Bob and Brel", and the musical "The Ballad of Norah's Ark".

He recorded the album "Durga Rising" (1997) with Jungr and percussionist Kuljit Bhamra, and he performs on Jungr's albums "Bare" (1999), ' (2000), and ' (2002).

With Des de Moor (like Jungr, a chansonnier, or singer of chansons), he devised and performed in "Darkness and Disgrace: Travels with a Wild-Eyed Alien from Bromley", a show directed by Jungr and based around songs by David Bowie. Churney and de Moor also recorded an accompanying album "Darkness and Disgrace: Des de Moor and Russell Churney Perform the Songs of David Bowie" (2003), featuring Jungr.

Other musical shows on which Churney worked as musical director and pianist include "Portraits in Song" (with Elizabeth Mansfield),"The Lonely Fate of the Femme Fatale" (with Sandra Lawrence),"Back With You" (with Dillie Keane), "Cabaret Whores" (with Howard Samuels), "Straker Sings Brel" (with Peter Straker),and "Big Night Out at the Little Palace Theatre" (with Sandi Toksvig and Dillie Keane).

He also recorded the albums "One Last Flutter" with"Fascinating Aida" and "Back With You" with Dillie Keane. He composed original scores for films including "One Minute Past Midnight" (directed by Celia Galan Julve, 2004) and the Channel 4 documentaries "Return Trip" (dir Carol Morley) and "The Alcohol Years" (directed by Carol Morley, 2000).

References

External links

* [http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0056.html MusicalTalk Podcast] episode discussing Russel Churney with Fascinating Aïda's Adele Anderson
* [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/musicians/russell.html Russell Churney biography]
*Russell Churney section of the [http://www.fascinating-aida.co.uk/faframe.htm Fascinating Aïda website]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article1505992.ece Obituary, "The Times", 13 March 2007]