Russell Webster

Russell Webster (b. Indianapolis – d. Indianapolis, September 8, 2007) – Saxophonist. Coming from a family of twelve children, Russell Webster received formal musical training at Crispus Attucks High School and the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music. Like so many musicians from the same background, Webster learned the jazz trade on Indiana Avenue, where he played with all of the local mainstays as well as passerbys like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. As a member of the Army Band, he had the opportunity to play USO concerts with Gene Cooper and Jackie Gleason. He also played in a jazz exhibition concert for the Crown Prince of Siam. Following his military service, he returned to Indianapolis, where he raised a family and worked for the U.S. Post Service. Because of his penchant for whistling original melodies, Webster became known throughout the city as the “whistling postman.” Continuing to play his horn throughout his life, he even led an Indy based group that recorded an album called Uncle Funkenstein: Together Again on the UK’s Jazzmen label in 1983. A rare collector’s item on vinyl, the jam oriented album was recently released on CD. Only a few years before his death in 2007, Webster and life-long friend Pookie Johnson volunteered to teach instrumental music to IPS students at a local church.