Scottsdale Jazz Festival honors Russell “Big Chief” Moore

Jeston Morris

Gila River Indian News

William “Doc” Jones, founder of the Scottsdale Jazz Festival, and Jacob Moore, vice president and special advisor on Indian affairs at Arizona State University, paid tribute to legendary trombonist and Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) member Russell “Big Chief” Moore during the opening night of the Scottsdale Jazz Festival at the Western Spirit Scottsdale’s Museum of the West on April 24. 

Jacob Moore, grandnephew to Russell Moore, moderated a panel honoring his legacy. The panelist included fellow GRIC members James Jay, Natalia Miles and Roberto Jackson. Jones and his band played tribute to Russell “Big Chief” Moore in the latter half. 

“Russell Moore was born in 1912 at the base of the Estrella Mountains. When Russell was 6 years old, he listened to traditional singers. That is where he developed his musical ears,” said Moore.

According to Moore, after the Gila River dried up it became difficult for the Moore family to take care of young Russell and his brothers. The Moore brothers were sent to Chicago to live with their uncle, Willam T. Moore, who taught them how to play multiple musical instruments. Young Russell did not learn how to play trombone until he attended Sherman Institute in Riverside, Calif. During his music journey, Russell played with jazz bands in California, New Orleans, and Chicago. 

“In 1945, Russell, for the first time, played with Louis Armstrong. Again, he played with Louis Armstrong and the All-Stars in 1964,” said Moore. 

Russel Moore played with many outstanding jazz bands. He performed at United States Presidential inaugural ball for John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. He also performed in Paris during the 1940s, for the Duke and Duchess at Central Plaza, and at Prince Charles and Diana Spencer’s wedding.

Moore asked the panelists to address what does Russell Moore present as an Akimel O’odham.

“How Russell Moore’s legacy impacted me as a Community member, you see someone who has made it to the world stage. ‘Wow, I can do that as well.’ It is awesome that Russell Moore did all these things. I am reminded all the time. In 1983, Russell Moore Day was declared in our Community,” said James Jay, multimedia designer for Gila River Broadcasting Corp.

“What Russell Moore means to me as an Akimel O’odham; To me Russell Moore represents Native American achievement, excellence and ambition,” said Natalie Miles, museum tech with the Huhugam Heritage Center. 

“Russell Moore was posthumously awarded the Legacy Circle Award in 2021,” said Moore. 

Scottsdale Jazz and Yrefy LLC sponsored the event.