Randal Harrison: The Store

Jazz violinist Randal Harrison’s gutsy, hard driving swing and inclusive approach to composition are the basis for the group, The Randal Harrison Trio. An EMMY nominated composer himself, for this recording Harrison draws from the great composers of the jazz idiom and incorporates musical flavorings from around the world including: the Klezmer tradition of eastern Europe, classical music from India and the Piazolla inspired Tango Nuevo of Argentina.

If variety is the spice of life, the debut jazz CD by The Randal Harrison Trio has a complexity to it’s heat and a depth of flavor that make it simply delicious.

Even though Randal Harrison and Brad Reifsnyder have been in and out of studios for years as studio musicians, composers and producers, Just Friends-Live at the Lakeside, is the first CD to feature the violin/guitar duo exclusively. It is a recording of the jazz standards Reifsnyder and Harrison have long performed together. The CD opens with the title track “Just Friends” (J. Klemmer) and ends with Charlie Mingus’ “Reincarnation of a Lovebird”. Sandwiched in-between is an unexpected mix of pieces by Louis Bonfi, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy McHugh, Theloniuos Monk, Henry Mancini, and Duke Ellington. Harrison and Reifsnyder seamlessly layer compositions from a variety of jazz traditions into a sound that is all their own.

Violinist Randal Harrison and Guitarist Brad Reifsnyder have recorded their favorites from the Baroque and Classical eras. Along with the featured complete Sonata in D minor for violin and guitar by Antonio Vivaldi, this CD is a wonderful combination of Arpeggione’s arrangements of Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach and Barsanti melodies. Harrison and Reifsnyder’s nearly 20 year collaboration as the duo Arpeggione is evident in the nuances of these performances. You can hear excerpts by clicking on the “Music” button on the menu bar and scrolling down to “Arpeggione”.

To purchase the self-titled Arpeggione CD, send a check or money order written out to Stringfling.com in the amount of $12.00 US ($10.00 + $2.00 shipping) to:

Stringfling.com 609 S. Dickinson St. / Suite #100 Madison, WI 53703 USA.

(Note: $10.00 US for each additional CD. $2.00 US shipping fee covers the shipping of the first 5 CDs purchased per order.)

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Try to define Honor Among Thieves. Blues roots are unmistakable, but the line up of guitar, bass, drums, and violin, and musical flourishes that stray into klezmer, jazz, funk and beyond confound true blues devotees. They have amassed a wealth of creative material and wield it with passion and spontaneity that makes each performance unique and has allowed Honor Among Thieves to remain one of Madison’s most revered bands for nearly a generation. The members of Honor Among Thieves are: Andy Ewen:lead vocals, guitar; Doug DeRosa:bass, vocals; Randal Harrison: violin, vocals; Joey B. Banks:drums.

The Blue God is a collaboration between Honor Among Thieves and reknowned cartoonist and voice of The Onion Radio News, P.S. Mueller. The songs have to do with impossible chemistry, geology, mythology, sand, the infrastructure of hopelessness and one articulate dog. Musically, The Blue God is an eclectic mix, running the gamut from intimate ballads to full-out rock.

Randal Harrison performs on this recording with his good friend Sally. Here's how others describe Sally De Broux's voice. Rich vocal tones from the soul - Sarah Vaughn meets Cassandra Wilson. Dark chocolate with a hint of cayenne and a rare port wine. At times quiet, spirited, wistful, adventurous, this recording unfolds into a collection of musical poetry. Randal couldn't agree more!