Burn Unit

Three members of the Ancient City Jazz Coalition (ACJC) are at the core of Burn Unit. This St. Augustine-based jazz combo plays frequently around town, often with one or two other ACJC members sitting in.

Led by Russ DeFilippis on guitar and vocals, Burn Unit focuses on jazz — all kinds of jazz. Oliver Haussmann plays alto sax, and Gordon Russell adds the brass, with flugelhorn, trumpet, or coronet. As part of their mission, ACJC showcases improvisational music to local audiences, and Burn Unit does it with funk, swing, cool, bop, Latin, fusion, post-bop, and groove.

Burn Unit plays jazz and they play it very well. That's no surprise as Russ DeFilippis was on the guitar faculty at Berkley School of Music. After forming a band and taking to the road, Gordon Russell taught music for more than 32 years, always taking time to perform, and sharing the stage with well-known artists including Chubby Checker and Jerry Vale. The band's co-founder, saxophonist Oliver Haussmann, performs with several other bands, including Soul Pylot.

You can catch Burn Unit around town at Ancient City Bourbon and Boards, Fuzion 904, Chez L'Amour, and Casa De Vino (where they have hosted a jazz jam/open mic).