Page 44 - KC Cunningham Issue

on Randy Napoleon By Jaime V. Habert

Randy Napoleon is an accomplished guitarist who has performed opportunity ironically came the day of college graduation, when
with such artists as Freddy Cole, Michael Buble, and Benny Green. a call from Jeff Hamilton, a prominent jazz drummer, prompted
Now, he’s taking the time to sit down with San Diego Woman to Napoleon to join the Grammy Award nominated Clayton-Hamilton
discuss his musical mentors, life on the road, and hopes for the Jazz Orchestra in concert. It was in this show, which featured jazz
future. legend Shirley Horn, that Napoleon was introduced to Jazz on a

Randy Napoleon’s
career began very
early, at the age of
13 he fell “violently
in love” with the
guitar and at 15
was performing for
WEMU, a national
public radio affiliate
in Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan (Napoleon’s
hometown). At 16,
44 he was spending
his free time in the
prominent Ann Ar-
bor jazz club, “Bird
of Paradise”, where
he experienced the
musical perfor-
mances of Ray
Brown, Jeff Ham-
ilton, and Benny
Green, in the Ray
Brown Trio. Napo-
leon was in awe of
the performers. He
found an excitement and joy that he had never been familiar with larger stage. He traveled with Benny Green, the well-known British
before. It was more than just a performance; it was a deep sense jazz saxophonist and radio show host, who mentored him in life
of camaraderie and soulful expression that filled the stage. At this and music. Green’s passion and dedication to his craft heavily influ-
point, it was no longer a choice for Napoleon to pursue music, it enced Napoleon, who says “Benny is one of the most meticulous
was inevitable. and passionate musicians I've ever known. He showed me what it
Usually, when a child breaks the news that they want to takes for a musician to reach their full potential. Those tours set the
follow their dreams of being in the entertainment industry, parents bar for me. I've spent the last ten years trying to master the lessons
will cringe at the notion. However, this was not the case for Randy. from that period.” Napoleon’s appreciation for his fellow musicians
Having a mother who was infatuated by the Arts, and a father who is undeniable and led him to work with many major musicians
always believed in following your dreams was a combination that along the way.
supported a career in music. Their nurturing yet cautious parenting Playing with Jazz sensation Michael Buble from 2004 to 2007 was
helped to build Randy’s talent and ultimately, achieve his current what some would call a big break. It gave Napoleon a stage geared
career success. more towards pop music then traditional jazz. He appeared with
That success began with a performance at the Hollywood Buble in numerous forums including some of the world’s most
Bowl, an amphitheatre which seats more than 17,000 people. This
March/April 2010