Rändi Fay is a recent addition to the singing and songwriting scene in Wisconsin where her rich vocals and versatile style have brought her in high demand as a feature vocalist. After an injury in the early 2000's brought an end to her veterinary career and her children grew up, she found time to pursue her passion in music production and performance. Since 2005, She has been a regular soloist with several acclaimed performing groups in Wisconsin, including the Dudley Birder Chorale, the Allouez Village Band, Wisconsin Choral Artists, the Big Band Reunion and Daddy D's Dinner Theater. In 2010, she began her "gigging" career singing in a jazz duo, which then led to the establishment of her jazz/blues ensemble "Limited Edition" in 2011, drawing from many of Wisconsin's finest jazz musicians. Her repertoire covers a variety of genre, focusing primarily on jazz standards, but always treating them with original flair, quickly carving for herself a reputation for capable blending of jazz, blues, Latin and swing, a genre she calls "lyrical jazz."
In addition to her performing schedule, Rändi has recorded and produced four CD's since 2010. The first three "Close to My Heart, Love Songs and Lullabies" (November 2010), "Noël" (October 2011) and "That Old Black Magic" (June 2012) highlight the variety of music that captures Rändi's heart and influences her style. Her newest release, "Falling" (June 2014) is the culmination of the latest development in Rändi's music career: the exciting process of writing and performing original music. Solo and collaborative compositions by Rändi, bassist Mick Maloney and guitarist Bob Balsley have become a regular part of their performances, with keyboardist and composer Greg Pagel adding brilliance and nuance to the arrangements. The compositions are varied, and all share the qualities of strong rhythm, alluring melodies and changes, and most importantly, expressive lyrics germane to contemporary issues and passions. This venture into "lyrical jazz" marks a step into further developing Rändi's unique niche in the popular music culture.
Awards
"Take Six," co-written with Mick Maloney, was selected as a winner of the College
Music Society 2013 Reception Showcase Contest in Boston, MA.
“Rändi has a style all her own, spearheading a unique blend of genres by way of
adding the melodies and lyrics that come to her musical heart with originality
and poise... “Falling” captures the essence of the lyrical and melodic ambiance
that compliments her vocal style. Catchy rhythms bring this collection of songs
to a new way of listening to the templates of older standards with ‘new ears’.”
-June 30, 2014: Jaijai Jackson, The Jazz Network Worldwide
"The album ("Falling") is unexpected in ways. The music fits into the broad
spectrum of jazz, though with colorful tidbits along the way – a whisp of the
Orient here, of a European café in an accordion there, of a catchy bass line here,
the joy of a Mardi Gras festival there, of snippets of scat singing here and there
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“Rändi has a style all her own, spearheading a unique blend of genres by way of
adding the melodies and lyrics that come to her musical heart with originality
and poise... “Falling” captures the essence of the lyrical and melodic ambiance
that compliments her vocal style. Catchy rhythms bring this collection of songs
to a new way of listening to the templates of older standards with ‘new ears’.”
-June 30, 2014: Jaijai Jackson, The Jazz Network Worldwide
"The album ("Falling") is unexpected in ways. The music fits into the broad
spectrum of jazz, though with colorful tidbits along the way – a whisp of the
Orient here, of a European café in an accordion there, of a catchy bass line here,
the joy of a Mardi Gras festival there, of snippets of scat singing here and there.
A rainy, happy drive with a dog and a visit to a place called Popcorn Alley shape
two of the creative songs. Lyrics dig, or they play. There’s nothing stock about
the songs."
-June 23, 2014: Warren Gerds, critic-at-large, WeAreGreenBay.com
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