Jazz Articles about Randy Johnston

Randy Johnston: People Music

by Nicholas F. Mondello
December 9, 2011

Perhaps more than any other musical instrument, the guitarists of today come drenched in the music of highly diverse musical genres. The instrument has been a fulcrum of expression, from folk, country and blues to jazz and rock--with a smidgen of classical thrown into the mix as well. Thinking about it, the task of developing as a guitarist has got to be daunting, with all of those musical bases to cover. With People Music, celebrated guitarist Randy ...

Randy Johnston: Live at the Smithsonian Jazz Caf

by David Adler
July 22, 2006

Randy Johnston Randy Johnston: Live at the Smithsonian Jazz Café Mel Bay 2006

Archtop guitarists don't come more highly qualified than Randy Johnston. This live trio date finds him in excellent form, backed by bassist Tom Pietrycha and drummer Tony Leone. After an opening groove-jazz version of Hendrix' “Up From the Skies , Johnston wends his way through four originals and tackles classics such as “Impressions , “Secret Love , “Billie's Bounce ...

Randy Johnston: Is It You?

by John Kelman
March 10, 2005

When most folks think of baby boom generation jazz guitarists, the names that invariably come to mind are Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, and John Abercrombie. But while these players have all made great strides forward, there's a second string of guitarists who, while moving forward in smaller steps, are equally worthy of attention. This list includes players like Vic Juris and Dave Stryker, who have significant bodies of work behind them that demonstrate a depth of vision and ...

Randy Johnston: Detour Ahead

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 1, 2001

One of the few no nonsense guitarists of the current set following in the footsteps of Tal Farlow, Chuck Wayne, Johnny Smith, and other mainstream legends, Randy Johnston has built a solid catalog with varied and disparate albums for such labels as Muse, HighNote and J Curve. He also counts among his supporters and employers Houston Person and Joey DeFrancesco. It is the former who produced Detour Ahead, which also happens to feature the latter.

Recorded in 1998, this date ...

Randy Johnston: Homage

by C. Andrew Hovan
July 1, 2000

Beginning with 1991’s Walk On and continuing through two more Muse dates (all of which are currently out-of-print), a few sets for High Note and then 1998’s Riding the Curve, guitarist Randy Johnston has championed his own take on the mainstream jazz guitar tradition, doing so with not much of any fanfare whatsoever. But with his second effort for Cincinnati’s J Curve label, Homage, things just might start to change for the better. Johnston believes it to be his best ...

Randy Johnston: Homage

by Jim Santella
April 1, 2000

Guitarist Randy Johnston pays homage to nine influential jazz artists with his 7th recording as leader. Johnston leads a strong quartet that has been augmented with four horns for this session. Rich Shemaria’s straight-ahead arrangements give the ensemble a full, big band sound without burying the individual contributions from each member. The leader’s fluid pick technique, seamless phrasing, and lyrical delivery make things flow gracefully from start to finish. The title of Johnston’s tune “Pat and Wes" offers a clue ...