Guitarist Russell Malone grew up on the blues of B.B. King, the gospel of the Dixie Hummingbirds, and the easygoing jazz of George Benson. Russell eventiually chose the direction of the pop-oriented Benson, and has plied his trade with jazz organ king Jimmy Smith and the big band of Harry Connick Jr., as well as accompanying jazz singers Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves. Bill Evans and Wes Montgomery have also influenced Malone, making his general approach relaxed and user-friendly, yet still swinging and bluesy as befits his roots.