Music has been a part of Russell’s life from the very beginning. His father was a jazz guitarist who performed throughout Chicago’s vibrant jazz circuit in the 1950s, and his three older brothers — Mike (guitar), Mark (drums), and Allen (piano) — all became musicians as well. Over the years, the four brothers have performed together at numerous gigs, keeping the family’s musical tradition alive.

Russell has been an active part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul music scene since the 1980s. While working at the iconic “Music Plus” store in St. Louis Park, he had the chance to meet artists like Prince, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Jam, and Bobby Z. He went on to perform with several local bands, most notably City Limits during the 1990s.

Today, Russell teaches piano, guitar, bass, drums, and voice at the Rogers School of Music in Rogers, MN, as well as through Independent School District 728’s Community Education program. He also leads multiple teen and adult rock bands and teaches songwriting classes.

Russell continues to perform regularly with several groups, including:

• Midlife Crisis – a guitar/piano duo with his brother Allen, playing popular hits at local coffee shops and breweries
• The Bozo Boys – a rock band performing at clubs and private events
• Dysfunktional – a high-energy 10-piece funk and horn band that has appeared at major venues such as the Lake Harriet Bandshell, St. Paul Winter Carnival, and Minneapolis Aquatennial
• Comfortably Floyd – a Pink Floyd tribute band

A graduate with a degree in music composition, Russell has written and recorded extensively for both himself and other local artists. He has released two albums:

• The Bozo Boys: Kicking the Carcass – featuring original songs written and performed by Russell
• Russell Heidorn: Lost and Found – a collection of songs recorded from the 1980s through the early 2000s

Russell’s music has been featured on KARE 11 television, received awards from the Music City Song Festival, and has music been played on several local radio stations.