Thomas Russo is an American

record producer A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

, mixer and

songwriter A songwriter is a person who creates musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music genre and film scoring. ...

.Thom Russo
Credits, All Music, Accessed July 2, 2011. His works range from Anglo-American

pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...

to alternative

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

. He is a recipient of 16

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

Life and education

Thom Russo was born in Cleveland, Ohio.Thom Russo
IMDb, Accessed July 2, 2011. He studied composition, music theory, and electronic music at

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

, in Evanston, Illinois.Advice from a Producer/Mixer
Musician Coaching, June 2, 2011, Accessed July 2, 2011. He lives and works in Los Angeles.

Career

Russo started his professional career as a musician
Latin Media Gurus, 2010, Accessed July 2, 2011. but became interested in music production, composing, engineering and recording as a college student at Northwestern University Conservatory of Music. He first worked at River North Studios in Chicago mentoring under many composers and arrangers in the advertising industry, and then moved on to Larrabee Sound, recording studios in Los Angeles, and later on his own under the Nettwerk Producer Management. As one of the first projects at Larrabee, Russo produced vocals for

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...

's album ''Dangerous'',

Bobby Brown Robert Barisford Brown Sr. (born February 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer. Alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, he is recognized as a pioneer of new jack swing: a fusion of hip-hop and Contemporary R&B, R ...

's album Bobby,

Cher Cher ( ; born Cheryl Sarkisian, May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Goddess of Pop", she is known for her Androgyny, androgynous contralto voice, Music an ...

's '' Greatest Hits 1965–1992'',

Diana Ross Diana Ross (born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross March 26, 1944) is an American singer and actress. Known as the "Queen of Motown Records", she was the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown#Major divisions, Motown's most suc ...

's '' Take Me Higher'' and Paula Abdul's '' Head Over Heels''.Thom Russo
Album Credits, Accessed July 2, 2011. That early work laid foundation for Russo's later career. Over the years he has worked with a variety of musicians, in addition to the ones named above, *

Alejandro Sanz Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro, better known as Alejandro Sanz (; born 18 December 1968), is a Spanish musician, singer and composer. He has won 22 Latin Grammy Awards and four Grammy Awards. He has received the Latin Grammy for Latin Grammy Award ...

('' El Tren de los Momentos''), * Aterciopelados (''Oye''), *

Audioslave Audioslave was an American Rock music, rock supergroup (music), supergroup formed in Glendale, California, in 2001. The four-piece band consisted of Soundgarden's lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell with Rage Against the Machine memb ...

(''

'', '' Like a Stone'', '' Doesn't Remind Me'', '' Out of exile''), * Babyface ('' For the Cool in You'', '' The Day'', ''

A Collection of His Greatest Hits ''A Collection of His Greatest Hits'' is a compilation album by the American recording artist Babyface, released in 2000. Track listing Charts Weekly charts Certifications References 2000 greatest hits albums Collection ...

''), *

Bird York Kathleen "Bird" York is an American actress, screenwriter, and Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter recording artist. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for " In the Deep" from the 2004 film '' Crash.'' Life and career ...

(''

The Velvet Hour ''The Velvet Hour'' is a 2003 album by Bird York. It features the song " In the Deep" from the film '' Crash''. Producers on this record include Michael Becker, Bird York, Thom Russo and Larry Klein. It also includes songs heard on '' CSI: NY ...

'', ''

Wicked Little High ''Wicked Little High'' (2006 EMI Records) is the third studio album by artist, actor and screenwriter Bird York. Background ''Wicked Little High'' is a re-recording of Bird York's previous album, ''The Velvet Hour''. York said her voice changed i ...

''), * Don Tetto *

Enrique Iglesias Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler (; born 8 May 1975) is a Spanish singer and songwriter. He started his recording career in the mid-1990s on the Mexican label Fonovisa where he released three Spanish albums ''Enrique Iglesias (album), Enrique ...

(''

''), *

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...

(''

Change The World "Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd. A later version was recorded by English singer Eric Clapton for the soundtrack of the 1996 film ''P ...

''), *

Faith Evans Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in New Jersey, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 in pursuit of a recording career. Evans initially performed as ...

('' A Faithful Christmas'', ''

Keep the Faith ''Keep the Faith'' is the fifth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on November 3, 1992, by Mercury Records. It is Bon Jovi's last studio album to feature all five original band members as bass guitarist Alec John Such was di ...

''), * Huecco (''Assalto'', ''Huecco''), *

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

(''

99 Problems "99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z from '' The Black Album''. It was released on April 27, 2004. The chorus of "I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one" is taken from the Ice-T song "99 Problems", from the album ...

''), *

Jermaine Dupri Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is an American rapper and record producer. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, he began his career in music at the age of nine. He discovered th ...

(''

12 Soulful Nights of Christmas ''12 Soulful Nights of Christmas'' is a compilation of Christmas songs released on December 3, 1996, through So So Def Recordings. In 1998, the album was reissued with two new songs. Critical reception The Orlando Weekly found the album "uneven ...

''), *

Jesse and Joy Jesse & Joy () is a Mexican pop duo formed in 2005 by brother and sister Jesse (born December 31, 1982, as Jesse Eduardo Huerta Uecke) and Joy (born June 20, 1986, as Tirzah Joy Huerta Uecke), in Mexico City. The duo have released five studio ...

(''

Electricidad ''Electricidad'' (English: ''Electricity'') is the second studio album by Mexican duo Jesse & Joy. The album was released on 15 September 2009, by Warner Music México, and reached number twenty-one on the Mexican Albums Chart. The album was ...

''), *

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

('' American IV: The Man Comes Around''), *

Juanes Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez (born 9 August 1972), known professionally as Juanes, is a Colombian musician who was a member of the Rock music, rock band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. Since releasing his solo debut album ''Fíjate B ...

(''

Fíjate Bien ''Fíjate Bien'' (Spanish for ''Pay Attention'') is the debut studio album recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes, It was released by Surco Records on October 17, 2000 (see 2000 in music). The album was produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, ...

'', ''

Un Día Normal ''Un Día Normal'' ( English: ''A Normal Day'') is the second studio album recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes, It was released by Surco Records on 21 May 2002. The album was remastered in 2022 for its 20th anniversary. Album informa ...

'', ''

Mi Sangre ''Mi Sangre'' ( English: ''My Blood'') is the third studio album by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes, released on September 28, 2004. Re-releases In 2005, a 'Tour Edition' of the album was released. This specially packaged re-release of ''Mi ...

'', '' La Vida... Es Un Ratico''), * Lili Haydn (''Place Between Places''), *

Libido In psychology, libido (; ) is psychic drive or energy, usually conceived of as sexual in nature, but sometimes conceived of as including other forms of desire. The term ''libido'' was originally developed by Sigmund Freud, the pioneering origin ...

(''

Pop*Porn ''Pop*Porn'' is the third studio album by Líbido Libido is a Peruvian rock Musical ensemble, band formed in 1996. Its band members are Salim Vera (singing, vocals, guitars), Antonio Jauregui (bass guitar, bass), Manolo Hidalgo (lead guitar), ...

''), * Love Star (''Espectro''), *

Macy Gray Natalie Renée McIntyre (born September 6, 1967), known professionally as Macy Gray, is an American contemporary R&B, R&B and soul music, soul singer and actress. She is known for her distinctive raspy voice and a singing style heavily influence ...

('' The Id'', '' The Trouble with Being Myself'', '' The Very Best of Macy Gray''), *

Maná Maná () is a Mexican pop rock band formed in 1981. Originally called Sombrero Verde, the current lineup of members is vocalist-guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González (musician), Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan ...

(''

Amar es Combatir ''Amar Es Combatir'' (English: "To Love Is To Fight") is the seventh studio album released by the Mexico, Mexican pop rock band Maná. The album, which was released on August 22, 2006, became the band's first release in four years. On February 1 ...

'', ''

Drama y Luz ''Drama y Luz'' (English: "Drama and Light") is the eighth studio album released by the Mexican Latin pop/Rock en Español band Maná. This album was released in three formats CD, CD with DVD, and 12" LP vinyl record. The album was released on Ap ...

''), *

('' King of Pop''), *

Pedro Suárez-Vértiz Pedro Suárez-Vértiz Alva (13 February 1969 – 28 December 2023) was a Peruvian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He founded the popular rock band Arena Hash with his brother Patricio, Arturo Pomar, and Christian Meier in 1987. A few years ...

(''Amazonas'') * Toto (''

Kingdom of Desire ''Kingdom of Desire'' is the eighth studio album by Toto, released internationally in September 1992. It is the first album on which guitarist Steve Lukather assumed sole lead vocal duties and the final album to feature drummer Jeff Porcaro, who ...

'') *

Los Claxons Los Claxons is a Mexican pop rock band from Monterrey, Mexico, initially formed in 2004. Its members include: Ignacio Llantada (vocals, guitar, piano), Mauricio Sánchez (vocals, guitar), Edgar "Cholo" Lozano (electric guitar), Pablo Gonzalez S ...

(Un Día De Sol) * Alan Munro (Ojala) and others; full listings are available. Since 2000, Russo has been involved in Latin rock and pop music and has worked with Juanes, Mana, and other Latin artists from Latin America, Central America, and Spain. Russo's mixing techniques include the commonly used audio filtering with different microphones and equalizers, reduction and amplification by

DRC The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

, sound

fading In wireless communications, fading is the variation of signal attenuation over variables like time, geographical position, and radio frequency. Fading is often modeled as a random process. In wireless systems, fading may either be due to mul ...

, and a range of more unconventional approaches.THE BLUE Q&A SESSION with Thom Russo
Vintage Microphone, Accessed July 2, 2011. He adapts his methods to accentuate the idiosyncratic features in the music he records, citing the record producer and colleague

Rick Rubin Frederick Jay Rubin (, ; born March 10, 1963) is an American record producer. He is a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. Rubin helped popularize hip hop by produci ...

as one of the main professional influences.

Awards

Russo has received 12 platinum record awards for his work in the music industry, and won 2 American Grammy Awards and 12 Latin Grammy Awards (listed below in chronological order). * Rock Solo Vocal Album award for ''

'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixerThom Russo
Past winners, The Latin Grammy Awards * Nomination for Album of the Year award, for ''Fijate Bien'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Nomination for

Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without re ...

award for ''

El Alma al Aire ''El Alma al Aire'' () is the sixth studio album recorded by Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz. It was released on 25 September 2000 by Warner Music Spain, following the success of ''Más'' (1997) and the artist's hiatus from music in 19 ...

'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Album of the Year award, for ''

'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Best Rock Solo Vocal Album award for ''

, ''Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer *

award for ''Es Por Ti'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Best Rock Solo Vocal Album award for ''

'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album award for ''

'', National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences – engineer/mixerThom Russo
Past winners, The Grammy Awards, Accessed July 2, 2011. *

Best Latin Pop Album The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for releasing albums in the Latin pop genre. Honors in ...

award for '' El Tren de los Momentos'', National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences – engineer *

Best Alternative Music Album The Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums in the alternative genre at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Ho ...

award for ''Oye'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer * Album of the Year award for '' La Vida... Es Un Ratico'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, 2008 – engineer/mixer *

award for ''

Me Enamora "Me Enamora" (English: ''It Makes Me Fall in Love'') is a song written and performed by Colombian singer and songwriter, Juanes. The song is the first radio single of his fourth solo studio album '' La Vida... Es Un Ratico'' (2007) and it receiv ...

'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer/mixer * Best Male Pop Vocal Album award for ''La Vida... Es Un Ratico'', Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences – engineer * Best Engineered Album award, for

Distinto ''Distinto'' is the seventh studio album (ninth overall) by Argentine latin pop singer Diego Torres, it was released on May 4, 2010, through Universal. Album information The album is entirely produced by Rafael Arcaute, who has a background in La ...

Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., trading as The Latin Recording Academy (; ), is a multinational membership-based association composed of Latin music industry professionals, musicians, producers, recording engineers, and ...

, 2010 – engineer * Best Engineered Album award, for

Drama Y Luz ''Drama y Luz'' (English: "Drama and Light") is the eighth studio album released by the Mexican Latin pop/Rock en Español band Maná. This album was released in three formats CD, CD with DVD, and 12" LP vinyl record. The album was released on Ap ...

, Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, 2011 – engineer *

Best Rock Album The Grammy Award for Best Rock Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the rock music genre. Honors in sever ...

award, for

, Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, 2011 – engineer

Films and TV projects

References

External links

*
YouTube interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russo, Thom 1969 births Living people Record producers from Ohio Songwriters from Ohio Latin Grammy Award winners Musicians from Cleveland