Russell Chudnofsky grew up in Framingham, MA  He began learning the guitar at age 8.  At age 13, he started writing songs and performing with his first band.  He studied music for 2 years at The University of Lowell and sociology for 2 years at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Between stints at college, he ran away to join the circus as a clown/musician/MC, riding a tricycle and playing guitar simultaneously.

In the 90s, establishing a reputation as top notch guitarist, he caught the ear of Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis who was so impressed with the young player’s ability that he invited Russell down to Los Angeles to audition for the group.

Russell is a well known fixture in the Boston music scene.  His impressive resume includes recording with Lori McKenna, Catie Curtis, Jake Brennan, Sarah Borges, Eileen Rose and many others.  He has opened for and shared the stage with well-established performers such as Frank Black of the Pixies, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Hot Tuna, Tanya Donnelly, Ellis Paul, Kay Hanley, Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band, Greg Hawkes of the Cars and many more.  The summer of 2007 found Russell playing guitar for opening act Lori McKenna on the Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Soul to Soul tour. He has also appeared at The Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center in New York City and on Good Morning America with McKenna.

Russell has written, recorded and produced Skypaint, an acclaimed rock opera that Jim Sullivan from the Boston Globe called “terrific, immediately infectious, hard-rocking, and heartfelt. Skypaint may just be the best rock (or pop) opera by a small-scale band.”

Russell also fronts the instrumental outfit Guitarzan where his notable guitar style shines through on versions of classic pop and rock covers ranging from the Beatles to Roy Orbison, and from the Cars to Ted Nugent.

His music can be heard at www.skypaintmusic.com, www.myspace.com/skypaint, and www.myspace.com/guitarzanrocks