Mark Randall plays Broadway, movie and jazz standards - the music of Gershwin, Kern, Porter, Ellington et al, in a style that borrows from the great old swing jazz pianists such as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson and Erroll Garner, as well as sophisticated salon players such as Cy Walter. Perhaps too melodic and too old-school to be called “jazz” these days, Mark Randall's music swings nonetheless in that idiom that keeps changing its name but not its appeal. Call it old jazz, call it cocktail music, call it cabaret. Whatever.
FROMMER's Guide to Philadelphia called Mark Randall Philadelphia's best cafe pianist. PHILADELPHIA Magazine mentioned him five consecutive years in its Best of Philly issues.
He has been called “first rate” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, and featured in the national KEYBOARD Magazine. He has been invited to play at the Mellon Jazz Festival, at the Bar Cavalados in Paris, and at numerous parties and receptions for notables such as Rudolf Nuryev, Martha Graham and Bill Blass.
Scott Yanow of Los Angeles Jazz Scene writes that “Randall has a style reminiscent of that of Teddy Wilson” and cites his “subtle variations, clear voicings and tasteful and swinging approach”.
Mark Randall's many corporate clients have included CIGNA, Smith-Kline, Mellon Bank, Brickstone Realty and the Annenberg Center. He has been a fixture at such Philadelphia locations as Strawbridge's, Mellon Independence Center, One Liberty Place, Downey's, The Rittenhouse Hotel, the Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, and has appeared at numerous Philadelphia private homes and clubs such as the Acorn Club, The Racquet Club and the Union League.
He is a seasoned solo player but is also happy to play with a bassist or in several small group combinations. He is not your man if you want to hear a lot of contemporary pop, but if you're looking for American standards played in the traditional style, Mark Randall will fill the bill nicely.
