Biography
Before establishing leadership of his own jazz ensemble, American pianist, arranger, composer, and producer Randy Waldman built an elite standing through extensive work as a session player, touring musician, and arranger. Since the 1980s he has served as pianist and conductor for Barbra Streisand, earning his initial Grammy for co-arranging her 1985 hit single “Somewhere.” His signature elegant yet unobtrusive phrasing has appeared on tours and recordings by figures that include Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder, and Beyonce. As a leader, Waldman issued the 2001 album UnReel, which presented jazz interpretations of motion-picture and television themes and initiated a stylistic direction later pursued by artists such as Dave Koz and Till Bronner.
Waldman began studying piano at age five and performed with the Northwestern University band while still attending high school. Following graduation he joined Frank Sinatra’s touring band, after which he worked with the Lettermen before relocating to Los Angeles. Subsequent road engagements included Minnie Riperton, Lou Rawls, Paul Anka, and George Benson, who retained Waldman as musical director and arranger for seven years. He eventually stepped away from that role to focus on the expanding demand for his studio contributions. In those sessions Waldman contributed piano, and at times trumpet, to numerous high-profile projects as well as numerous major film scores.
His co-arrangement of the West Side Story selection “Somewhere,” featured on Barbra Streisand’s The Broadway Album, received a Grammy in 1985. Throughout the 1990s he also undertook occasional production assignments. In 1998 Waldman released his debut solo recording, Wigged Out, on his own Whirly Bird imprint; the album presented ten classical compositions recast in jazz settings and introduced his trio featuring bassist John Patitucci and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. He subsequently moved to Concord Jazz and delivered UnReel in 2001, again offering jazz treatments of well-known television and film melodies. Two years later he issued three projects, among them the tribute album Music of the Carpenters for Liquid 8; the trio recording Timing Is Everything, first issued in Japan by King and later released domestically; and the holiday collection Your Favorite Christmas CD, a set of duets with vocalist Janey Clewer.
Although commitments as a studio musician, arranger, and touring conductor limited opportunities for his own projects over the ensuing decade and a half, Waldman maintained an occasional club presence while supplying arrangements that charted for Ray Charles and Michael Buble, handling studio dates for George Benson and Kenny G, and performing on numerous additional recordings that encompass releases by Billy Joel, Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Josh Groban, and Seal. Waldman reemerged as a recording artist in 2018 with Superheroes, funded through a Pledge Music campaign; the project reimagined several favorite superhero-related film and television themes as vehicles for jazz improvisation. The sessions reunited him with bassist Carlitos del Puerto and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and featured guest appearances by Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, and additional soloists, plus vocal group Take 6 on the Spider-Man theme.
Waldman began studying piano at age five and performed with the Northwestern University band while still attending high school. Following graduation he joined Frank Sinatra’s touring band, after which he worked with the Lettermen before relocating to Los Angeles. Subsequent road engagements included Minnie Riperton, Lou Rawls, Paul Anka, and George Benson, who retained Waldman as musical director and arranger for seven years. He eventually stepped away from that role to focus on the expanding demand for his studio contributions. In those sessions Waldman contributed piano, and at times trumpet, to numerous high-profile projects as well as numerous major film scores.
His co-arrangement of the West Side Story selection “Somewhere,” featured on Barbra Streisand’s The Broadway Album, received a Grammy in 1985. Throughout the 1990s he also undertook occasional production assignments. In 1998 Waldman released his debut solo recording, Wigged Out, on his own Whirly Bird imprint; the album presented ten classical compositions recast in jazz settings and introduced his trio featuring bassist John Patitucci and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. He subsequently moved to Concord Jazz and delivered UnReel in 2001, again offering jazz treatments of well-known television and film melodies. Two years later he issued three projects, among them the tribute album Music of the Carpenters for Liquid 8; the trio recording Timing Is Everything, first issued in Japan by King and later released domestically; and the holiday collection Your Favorite Christmas CD, a set of duets with vocalist Janey Clewer.
Although commitments as a studio musician, arranger, and touring conductor limited opportunities for his own projects over the ensuing decade and a half, Waldman maintained an occasional club presence while supplying arrangements that charted for Ray Charles and Michael Buble, handling studio dates for George Benson and Kenny G, and performing on numerous additional recordings that encompass releases by Billy Joel, Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Josh Groban, and Seal. Waldman reemerged as a recording artist in 2018 with Superheroes, funded through a Pledge Music campaign; the project reimagined several favorite superhero-related film and television themes as vehicles for jazz improvisation. The sessions reunited him with bassist Carlitos del Puerto and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and featured guest appearances by Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, and additional soloists, plus vocal group Take 6 on the Spider-Man theme.
Albums
