Randal Harrison: Bios
The Randal Harrison Trio:
Randal Harrison - jazz violinist and composer
Mark Urness - bass
Geoff Brady - percussion
Harrison’s gutsy, hard driving swing and inclusive approach to composition are the basis for the group, The Randal Harrison Trio. Randal is joined by bassist Mark Urness and percussionist Geoff Brady. Aptly described as “brilliant musicians”1, the rhythm section of Brady and Urness “lead the swinging fiddler into new space”2 while performing Harrison's compositions.
Described as “intellectually stimulating..., but most of all...entertaining”3 , The Randal Harrison Trio’s repertoire of mostly original compositions draws from the great masters of the American Jazz tradition, Indian Classical music, Appalachian Funk, Gypsy and Klezmer traditions of Eastern Europe and Astor Piazolla’s Tango Nuevo of Argentina.
Although the inspirations are world-wide their sound is as distinctive as one's own signature. Always with the audience in mind, there is a story to be told. "Randal Harrison dives into his violin while performing"4 and "brings the tale to life"5 !
Bassist Mark Urness received a Master of Music in double bass performance from the University of Cincinnati and is currently a faculty member at Lawrence University. His diverse performance experience includes five years as Principal Bassist for the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and New York performances with Adam Nussbaum, Lew Soloff, Eric Rasmussen, and Curtis Fowlkes. Mark Urness compositions appear on several recordings including the Bob Washut Trio's Songbook, Triptych's Play Here. He has most recently recorded with Orquesta Alto Maiz, OddBar, and oft Ensemble. Mark Urness was awarded First Prize in the 2001 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition.
Percussionist Geoffrey Brady is a native of Pontiac, Michigan. He studied percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory and University of Wisconsin with Sam Tundo, Vic Firth, James Latimer and others. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, where he performs regularly with such diverse ensembles as Yid Vicious, the Gomers and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he regularly performs solo on vibraphone and theremin. Geoffrey Brady is currently hard at work on a one man show entitled "Me, Me, Look at ME!!: A One Man Show", which encompasses an array of Brady's talents, and includes music, dancing, sock-puppetry, the spoken word, and...remembering.
Violinist Randal Harrison’s honors include a 1994 EMMY nomination for composition, the 2004 MAMA’s for Best Blues Artist and Best Jazz Album and the 2008 MAMA's for Best Jazz Artist and Best Classical Artist. Harrison tours internationally as a freelance artist and is a clinician of jazz and violin studies throughout the United States. He has played the Great Hall, the Knitting Factory, the Great Northern Bluegrass Festival and B.B. King's Blues Club in Memphis, TN. Randal Harrison's discography of over 50 recordings includes four as a member of Honor Among Thieves, two with jazz and classical guitarist Brad Reifsnyder and his most recent, The Randal Harrison Trio featuring Geoffrey Brady and Mark Urness.
1- John Book - Music For America (Jun 25, 2007)
2- Tom Laskin - The Daily Page/MadTracks (May 2, 2007)
3- Jonathan Winkle, Executive Director - Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts (Mar 24, 2008)
4- Times Tribune
5- Tom Laskin - Isthmus
Randal Harrison - Violinist/Composer/Educator
With press comparisons as diverse as Nicoli Pagannini, Stephane Grapelli, Al DiMeola and Frank Zappa, Randal Harrison pushes the envelope of what you expect from a violinist.
Harrison has performed with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, bluegrass giant Vassar Clemments, jazz bassist Ben Tucker, and the legendary drummer Sam Lay of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Harrison currently performs with The Randal Harrison Trio (jazz), Honor Among Thieves (blues and rock), Arpeggione (classical) and Leahy's Luck (celtic folk) in addition to his work as a soloist and freelance artist.
Randal Harrison’s work as composer, arranger, producer and violinist is featured in the Emmy nominated title music of GPTV's, The Coastal Naturalist. His compositions have been included in the documentary films The Sid Boyum Project, When The World Runs Fast, Back to the Land...Again, and Keeping the Lights On. His educational materials are performed by students throughout the United States.
Randal Harrison has taught jazz history at Savannah College of Art and Design and recently served as president of the Suzuki Association of Wisconsin. He often travels as a clinician of jazz, improvisation and violin studies. Mr. Harrison is the director of ESTEAM (Embracing Suzuki Talent Education Across Madison) where he teaches and provides opportunities for students of need to further their musical studies.
Arpeggione/Randal Harrison and Brad Reifsnyder
Violinist-Randal Harrison and Guitarist-Brad Reifsnyder (reef’ sni der) have been performing together for almost 20 years. The musical intimacy that has developed over time shines through on their recordings, Just Friends-Live at the Lakeside (jazz standards) and their classical CD, Arpeggione.
Randal Harrison owes his foundation in the musical world to his mentor and founder of the American Suzuki Institute, the late Prof. Margery V. Aber. Performances with the Composer’s Chamber Orchestra, The Funky Drummer Clyde Stubblefield, Nashville recording artist Steve Austin, avant-garde jazz saxophonist Hannah Jon Taylor and the rock band Honor Among Thieves highlight his broad range of musicality.
Brad Reifsnyder studied with David Sullivan of Lawrence University and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Reifsnyder has taught for the University of Wisconsin system, has toured internationally as a founding member of the band “Streetlife”, and was co-owner and manager of Gilmour Bros. Music. Today, Brad Reifsnyder continues to be a highly called upon accompanist and pursues his study of the two “G’s” of life, Guitar & Golf.