Bruce A. Russell (aka Ibrahim El Mahboob) is a composer and self-taught pianist living and working in Toronto (Tkarón:to, the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat). He studied at York University with James Tenney and Phillip Werren. His early years as a musician were spent working in record stores, playing in bands, and releasing DIY cassettes of art pop and experimental music, as well as composing predominantly electronic scores for dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary productions.
Frustrated by systemic barriers, personal struggles, and a lack of interest in his work, he stopped seeking a career in music. He continued composing in private, however, sometimes sharing his work through social media. Interest in his work increased in 2020, resulting in performances by Prism Percussion, San Juan Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony, Grant Park Orchestra, Regina Symphony Orchestra, the Isabel String Quartet, Mill City String Quartet, and the University of Delaware School of Music. Arraymusic presented the first portrait concert of his music, and he is the inaugural Composer in Residence at Array for three seasons from 2022 through 2025.
He has also composed new works for Artemis Musicians’ Society, Gryphon Trio, Madawaska Quartet, and Thin Edge New Music Collective. He is the composer, music director and keyboardist for writer/performer Ian Kamau’s live multimedia work Loss, which premiered at Harbourfont Centre for the Luminato Festival in Toronto. His interests are in 20th and 21st century concert music especially postminimalism, and music of the African diaspora.
Email: bruce@elmahboob.com
Mahboob – Arabic, “the beloved one”
EL MAHBOOB 