Randy Sabien - Jazz Violinist

Randy's Bands

Randy Sabien & Brian Torff

The Fiddlehead Band

Sextet, Quintet, Quartet, Trio, Duo or Solo

Randy Sabien & Mike Dowling

The Subterraneans

Guest Soloist with Orchestra

Randy Sabien fans never know what he'll be up to from one gig to the next... A smokin' sextet with Clyde - Funky Drummer - Stubblefield... A violin-guitar duo with Mike Dowling... or maybe he's appearing as a soloist with an orchestra somewhere. What they do know is that he always manages to put on a show that brings down the house.

Randy started by learning classical violin. This gave him the ability to play along with his favorite records from the 60's and 70's. Before long, he was fiddling in a country/rock band and collaborating with singer/songwriters. Then one afternoon in his college dorm, he put on his first jazz violin record by Stephane Grappelli. This event changed his musical focus overnight. He immersed himself in Grappelli's records as well as those of other jazz violin greats like Stuff Smith and Joe Venuti. All of his influences began to meld into a unique, groove oriented jazz/blues style, a sound that's accessible to virtually anyone who hears him play.

Randy Sabien & Brian Torff
Randy heard the legendary French jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli for the first time as a college freshman. It instantly converted his own musical direction to jazz and led him to find Grappelli at a performance in a club in Chicago. To his amazement, the bassist, Brian Q. Torff, was about his own age and touring with his jazz violin hero. Randy and Brian reconnected many years later after Stephane passed away and began planning a musical tribute to their friend and mentor. In the first set they play their favorite Grappelli standards. In the second set they illustrate how they went on to develop their own musical voices. All of this is interspersed with stories and insights about Grappelli. It’s a rare opportunity to hear Grappelli’s signature rhythm section; violin as the lead with two guitars and an upright acoustic bass - no drums - and it smokes!
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THE FIDDLEHEAD BAND (check your smoke detectors) is fueled by Clyde Stubblefield on Drums, Jeff Eckels on Upright Bass, Dan Kleiman on Piano and Keyboards, Jim Ouska on Guitar, Dane Richeson on Percussion and Drums and Randy on Violin. It's one of those rare musical offerings that finds the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It will leave you breathless. Discography includes, Fiddlehead Blues, Paintin' the Canvas, some selections on The Sound of Fish Dreaming plus a soon to be released album.
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THE RANDY SABIEN sextet, quintet, quartet, trio or duo .
Randy collaborates with an ever increasing number of top notch musicians. The tie that binds is Randy's uncanny ability to bring new players into his sound. His gracious nature makes it easy for fellow musicians to add their own color and dimension. This always provides interesting twists and turns for audience and band alike. Discography includes, In a Fog.
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RANDY SABIEN AND MIKE DOWLING have been playing together in various configurations for almost 20 years. They are a shining example of what two virtuoso musicians can do when they know each other well. They put their spin on rootsy sounding country, swing and blues. They sing, they play, they crawl on their bellies... (never mind). Discography includes Live at the Cafe Carpe.
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THE SUBTERRANEANS show off Randy's ability as a multi string instrumentalist. A particular highlight is Randy's ability to cut loose on boogie woogie piano. He is also joined by house rockin' guitar star Andy Dee from Molly and the Heymakers. The drum slot is nailed down by the incomparable Clyde - Funky Drummer - Stubblefield or Solid Joe Lindzius. This is a great dance/party band complete with vocals. It's a whole lot of sound for just three guys...Randy & Andy "take" on country, blues, rock, swing and more. Album soon to be released.
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When Randy performs on his own, you'll be treated to his remarkable solo violin arrangements of jazz standards as well as an impressive collection of original, up tempo folk tunes. He has been the sideman of choice for a host of singer/songwriters including Kate Wolf and Greg Brown. Discography includes Original Wisconsin Music and some selections on The Sound of Fish Dreaming.

RANDY adds exciting energy to orchestras across the country when he performs as a guest soloist. Three of his compositions from The Sound of Fish Dreaming have orchestral arrangements as well as an array of jazz standards. He also offers a pops concert program using the charts he inherited from the late jazz violinist, Joe Venuti.
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