Paul Randolph (musician)


Paul Randolph, aka "Randolph" is an American bass player, singer, songwriter, and producer from Detroit, Michigan. His musical style ranges from jazz, funk, soul, house, and electronica. He is best known as the vocalist for the German collective, Jazzanova. Randolph has performed with well-known musicians, including Tony Allen, Odetta, and Johnny Johnson.

Early life and education

Randolph was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his family relocated to Sao Paulo, Brazil when he was six years old, where he learned to play guitar. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Marketing.

Career

Randolph joined the Detroit-based New Orleans-style funk and blues band, Mudpuppy as lead vocalist and bassist, along with fellow Detroit musician, Amp Fiddler. The pair later performed and recorded as a duo. During this time, Randolph also released his first solo CD, This Is...What It Is" in 2004 on Kenny Dixon, Jr.'s Mahogani Music label. His second solo album, Lonely Eden was released in 2007, with contributions from Stephanie McKay and Waajeed.
Randolph's overseas travels with Amp Fiddler lead him to meet members of the group Jazzanova. Randolph was the lead vocalist on three singles from Jazzanova's 2008 album Of All The Things on Sonar Kollektiv, which peaked at number six on the Billboard Chart's Top Contemporary Jazz category. He also sang on the 2012 Jazzanova release, Funkhaus Studio Sessions. He was named 2010 Artist of the Year by Real Detroit Weekly, and he has collaborated on projects with J Dilla, Kiko Navarro, Makoto, Charles Webster, and most recently Boddhi Satva. Randolph's latest project, "Chips 'N Chittlins" with Manchester, UK producer Zed Bias, originally released in Japan on P-Vine Records, is in production on Fit Distribution.

Discography

Albums