Napoleon pulls all the strings in new release | Michigan State University College of Music

MSU Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar Randy Napoleon’s latest release assembles a stellar cast of musicians and is hailed as “a lively affair” by critics.

Guitarist Randy Napoleon dives into the world of Gregg Hill compositions on his latest release, Puppets. His ambitious performance of Hill’s compositions marks a collaboration that highlights Napoleon’s dexterity and touch as well as Hill’s creativity.

Michigan State University brought the two together when Napoleon returned to Michigan from New York City and stepped into the associate professor of jazz guitar position at the College of Music. Since then, he has mentored a crop of talented, award-winning students who are forging careers of their own, such as Jocelyn Gould.

The slate of excellent musicians Napoleon assembled for this recording include Rodney Whitaker on bass, vocalist Aubrey Johnson, Rick Roe on piano, and drummer Quincy Davis with significant contributions on bass clarinet and flute from Seth Ebersole as well as drummer Will Crandell and bassist Brandon Rose.

“Puppetry is a performance art form stretching back to Egypt over 4,000 years ago,” writes Michael G. Nastos in the liner notes of this release. “Puppets on strings with marionettes in front of flashy backdrops were used beyond entertainment. They expressed the feelings of their cultures, sometimes as political statements, and also to induce laughter, romance, lament and even gestures of conflict.”

Randy Napoleon’s 2022 release is a collaboration with Lansing-based composer Gregg Hill.

Tom Haugen of Take Effect calls the album, “A lively affair that touches on the blues and soul and bops and waltzes playfully, Napoleon and company sure do justice to Hill’s work on this radiant body of work.”

The work spans a breadth of tones and effortlessly curates a blend of traditional and contemporary jazz. Nastos writes further: “Working with singers is nothing new for Randy, having had extensive time with pop star Michael Buble, and the late legend of jazz Freddy Cole, younger brother of Nat “King” Cole. This recording is a worthy follow-up to his solid and acclaimed 2021 OA2 CD Rust Belt Roots, a tribute to Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, and Kenny Burrell.”

The outcome of this new collaboration between artists is an adventurous recording that showcases the talent of all involved. Released on Origin Records, more information and purchase options can be found here.