When Randy Sabien (suh bean') picks up his violin, get ready. His rhythmic, bluesy, swingin' sound will have you bobbing your head, tapping your toes and dancing right out of your chair.

NPR's Jazz Profiles dubbed Randy "The past, present and future of jazz violin." His eclectic style started with classical violin lessons. From there he learned how to play along with records by the Grateful Dead, Papa John Creach, James Taylor and others. He continued his study of classical music at the University of Illinois, augmenting his formal education with gigs as a country/rock fiddler. But his most pivotal musical influence came when he first heard the music of the great jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli. With a new musical focus, he began learning and playing the jazz of the 30s, 40s, and 50s on his violin.

In 1977 Randy enrolled at The Berklee College of Music in Boston. One year later, at the age of 21, he returned to found and chair their new jazz string department. He stayed there another three years.

After Berklee, Randy performed with and produced three albums for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Post. This led to violin, mandolin, guitar and piano accompaniment for a host of singer/songwriter. In between folk gigs, he worked on material for an album with his newly formed jazz quintet.

The album that emerged from all of these influences was a colorful, melodic, energetic album of blues based jazz. In a Fog was released and sent out for review in 1981 by Flying Fish Records. Billboard, Jazz Times, The Christian Science Monitor and USA Today gave it glowing reviews. He was also voted Artist Deserving Wider Recognition in downbeat magazines annual critics poll.

In 1989 Randy followed his heart to northern Wisconsin where he started his own record label, Fiddlehead Music. Since then he has released another six titles with two more in the works. His discography is predominantly jazz with a couple of albums that cover country swing, roots blues and rock and roll from the sixties. He also plays regularly as a jazz violin, guest soloist with symphonies across the country.

Learn more about Randy at his web site: http://www.randysabien.com

Contact Information: 
Robert Baca
Director of Jazz Studies
250 Haas Fine Arts
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702
(715) 836-4371

bacarj@uwec.edu