The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Oakland University will welcome highly acclaimed jazz guitarist Randy Napoleon and his sextet to perform their unique brand of soul music, funk and groove-oriented, melodic, straight-ahead jazz at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
In his online biography, Napoleon is described as "one of the most sought after guitarists in New York, where he is known as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for the jazz guitar tradition."
He has played with a number of prominent groups and solo artists, including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the Benny Green Trio, legendary singer/pianist Freddy Cole and the Bill Charlap Trio. He has also appeared on studio recordings with Melissa Morgan, Josh Brown, Paul Keller and others.
Napoleon's own CDs, "Enjoy the Moment" and "Between Friends," have garnered numerous positive reviews. Meanwhile, guitarist George Benson has called Napoleon "sensational" and Detroit Free Press critic Mark Stryker said that Napoleon "plays with a gentle, purring tone that makes you lean in close to hear its range of color and articulation."
Featuring guitar, Hammond B-3 organ, drums, tenor saxophone, trumpet and trombone, the Randy Napoleon Sextet will perform in Varner Recital Hall on the campus of Oakland University. For interactive and printable maps, visit oakland.edu/map.
All tickets for the upcoming performance are $8. They can be purchased online through
startickets.com or by phone at (800) 585-3737. Tickets can also be purchased on the OU campus at the Center for Student Activities in the basement of Oakland Center and at the box office in Varner Hall. For more information, visit
oakland.edu/tickets.
To learn more about Randy Napoleon, visit his website at
randynapoleon.com. To learn more about the Oct. 10 concert, as well as a host of additional music, theatre and dance performances, download the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance 2012-13 Season Brochure at
oakland.edu/mtd.
