On the tracks from Between Friends and Enjoy the Moment:
Randy Napoleon, Guitar
Jared Gold, B-3 Organ
Quincy Davis, Drums
Benny Green, Piano
David Wong, Bass.
The sextet:
Justin Walter - Trumpet
Frank Basile - Baritone Saxophone
Josh Brown - Trombone
Jared Gold - B3
Quincy Davis - Drums.
The sextet when I'm in the Midwest:
Duncan McMillan - B3
Ben Janasson - Saxophones
Dave Brophy or Sean Dobbins - Drums
Vincent Chandler - Trombone
Justin Walter - Trumpet.
My new trio collaboration -
Josh Brown - Trombone
Elias Bailey - Bass
Influences
Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, good singers of standards et all -Jazz. Also, the wonderful musicians I've had the good fortune to work with are the most direct influence on my music. Freddy Cole, Curtis Boyd, Benny Green, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Rodney Whitaker, Paul Keller, Rick Roe, Donald Waldon, and all the other seasoned musicians who have taken me under their wing. Thank you forever!
CLICK ON THE STORES IMAGE TO BUY CD ;)
Detroit Free Press critic Mark Stryker says he "plays with a gentle, purring tone that makes you lean in close to hear its range of color and articulation." Warner Brothers recording artist Michael Bublé calls him "the most exciting guitarist of our generation." And music critic Michael G. Nastos says "Displaying Wes Montgomery-like inventions, Napoleon consistently plays with the swing and savvy of an old vet...He can command attention purely on the basis of his soul."
It's no surprise that Randy Napoleon is one of the most sought after guitarists in New York today. His CD, Between Friends, has been drawing praise from all quarters.
Currently, he is touring with legendary singer/pianist Freddy Cole and working on music for his third solo album.
Napoleon's career took off one month after moving to New York City, when he joined pianist Benny Green's trio and achieved international exposure. Since that auspicious debut, he continued to make a name for himself as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for the jazz guitar tradition.
He played many major European festivals and toured Japan with the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO). Napoleon’s connection to this LA-based orchestra dates back to his college days, when Jeff Hamilton heard him perform with the University of Michigan Big Band. In 2004, he appeared on a TV special in Tokyo with CHJO and recorded with them in Pittsburgh (Live at MCG Jazz).
In the fall of 2004, he began a three-year tour with Bublé. Since then, he has appeared with the chart-topping crooner on TV in cities that include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, Sydney, Toronto (Canada AM and CityLine), LA and New York, (Letterman; Leno; The View; Today, Regis and Kelly; The Ellen DeGeneres Show; a PBS special, Caught in the Act; The Radio Music Awards, Dancing with the Stars), on BBC radio, and on the stages of prestigious music halls all over the globe.
In January 2007, he returned to London to appear on BBC radio and in clubs with his own trio to celebrate the release of Between Friends. The trio, collaboration with organist Jared Gold and drummer Quincy Davis, continues to attract attention internationally.
Napoleon plays with other major artists including Rodney Whitaker, Grady Tate, and Rick Roe, and with top cabaret performers Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano. He has formed partnerships with some of the finest musicians of his own generation, among them Josh Brown, Gerald Clayton, Julius Tolintino and Sachal Vasandani.
When he isn't on the road, Randy Napoleon performs in New York City. Whatever the setting, he always is happy to pick up his guitar and play.
Hello Randy Thank you very much for the friendship and your message. What a great pleasure to listen you music and your guitar playing ! You have so much talent. Best wishes from France. Friendly JJ
~R So I'm driving home Sunday around midnight and on the radio they were playing Freddie Cole. When the song was over they mentioned your name. OMG :0 I was pretty excited!!! :) That's all!!
Randy, Your an awesome myspace friend and I really loved your cd between friends. I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for your support and tell you that my cd is out too!! !The cd is now available at Barnes and Nobel! I'm still not signed but, hey 100% of the proceeds are being donated to fight against leukemia so I do win huh? :)
I posted a new song, hope you like it!
Thanks a bunch for your support! -Kiwi- Kailey Carranza "Singing for a Cure"
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