RUSSELL PROCOPE (clarinetist, saxophonist) was born August 11, 1908 in New York, NY and passed away January 21, 1981 in New York, NY. A talented altoist and clarinetist (largely during his years with Duke Ellington), Procope performed with the bands of Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and with the John Kirby sextet from 1938-43, displaying his talents on alto sax. Procope had a long association with Duke Ellington, performing with the orchestra for some 28 years until Ellington’s death in 1974.