Russ created his one man frontier band, which he dubs, the only full sized sounding band in Alaska that will fit inside a single engine plane. He plays 14 instruments, including harmonica, piano, bass and guitar, and busts out as many different instruments as he can travel with during shows.


Statesman Journal: The music of Ukulele Russ

The name "Ukulele Russ" is pretty straightforward. He's a guy named Russ and he plays the ukulele. The name "Ukulele Russ" is pretty straightforward. He's a guy named Russ and he plays the ukulele. But this is a case where what you see at first is much less than what you wind up getting.



UkeMarket: Ukulele Russ Live Performance Review

Not only is Ukulele Russ a great musician and performer, but his schtick is perfectly suited for the venue in which he performed. He engaged the audience, talked to the crowd, cracked jokes and even managed to diffuse an obnoxious drunk. He’s energetic, funny and genuinely enjoyable.



Midland Reporter: Ukulele Russ from Alaska set to entertain in Kalamunda

It’s quite unusual for international ukulele players to visit Perth, let alone Kalamunda, so the visit is quite unique and being looked forward to by many music fans and uke players. He [Copelin] is a great live performer, chatty, he can play at least 14 instruments and creates material on the spot.



KTVA: Mic Check in the Morning

Daybreak got a unique treat Friday, as Alaska’s ukulele wild man brought his layers of looping guitar riffs and vocals for a Mic Check in the Morning.



Daily News-Minder, Fairbanks: Alaska musician takes the ukulele to entertaining heights

With a stage name like Ukulele Russ, one might imagine Hawaiian shirts and inoffensive luau music or maybe a bunch of kid-friendly songs espousing the benefits of making friends and learning to tie shoes. But that’s about as far away from reality as possible.





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