Leon Russell returns to Carmel to share songs from an Elton John collaboration.

Leon Russell – he of the free flowing, snow-colored beard, matching mane and yellow-tinted sunglasses – is still adding to his rock and roll legacy, years after most mortals might have understandably abandoned the stage, despite mighty obstacles.


Over the past few years, he has released The Union, a collaborative album with longtime contributor and friend Elton John – produced by T-Bone Burnett – been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and been featured in a Cameron Crowe documentary about the making of the well-received album, despite undergoing brain surgery. He even made a surprise appearance with John at Madison Square Garden in March not long after the operation.


“His music takes me back to a wonderful time in my life, of music and experimenting, people sharing what we had,” Elton John told Rolling Stone last October.


Tonight, at the Sunset Center, Russell – accompanied by Jack Wessel (bass), Chris Simmons (guitar), Brandon Holder (drums) and Beau Charron (guitar, mandolin, steel guitar and keyboards) – will bring original classics, covers, and newbies from his recent Elton John collaboration.


On Russell’s newest tunes from The Union, he further demonstrates his fearlessness of exposing his soul and continues to push the boundaries of gospel and country. At the same time, the songs express the undying musical bond between Russell and John, minus any sentimental dribble. “The Best Part of the Day” is a simple reflection on the pair’s lasting relationship highlighted by Bernie Taupin’s insightful lyrics: “You’re my best friend, you shared my crazy ways/ Now we don’t want to miss out on the best part of the day.”


Even at the top of a half-century career, Russell is still most comfortable distancing himself from added attention and excitement.


“My hobby,” Russell told the New York Times, “is silence.”


The Russell show will be an enormous coup for local musician Nico Georis, who got a last minute call to open with his new band Sky Country when he was just trying to score a couple tickets to the show.


“I just flew through the roof,” Georis says. “Being a piano player [myself], Russell and Dr. John are the man for me, in terms of rock-and-roll piano; it’s like opening up for your hero and I’m just pumped to see the show.”


Georis doesn’t plan on slathering on praise when he sees Russell, even though Russell has changed his career.


“I’d want to tell him, ‘Thank you, I think you’re badass and you’ve been a major inspiration,’ but I won’t because that’s a little me-centric,” Georis says. “I’d be more curious about what he ate for breakfast or if he’s got animals on his property or if he’s got a tile or shingle roof.”


Carmel native Georis, an alum of local outfits the Butt Wizards and Palo Colorado, recently moved to San Francisco to start connecting with musicians outside his usual circle.


“We’ve been working really hard to tighten s* up because this is our first big show,” he says.


The performance arrives the same day as Sky Country’s debut LP, Songs From Nowhere, which yields an airy, soul-exposing vibe different from any of Georis’ previous work. 


LEON RUSSELL plays at 8pm Thursday, May 5, at Sunset Center, San Carlos at Ninth, Carmel. $25-$45. 620-2048.