Randy Crawford

Randy Crawford seemingly burst upon the scene singing “Street Life” when The Crusaders invited her to sing the eleven minute title song on their 1979 album “Street Life,” which remained #1 on the American jazz charts for twenty weeks. She recently in 2006 reunited with former Crusader keyboardist Joe Sample for “Feelin’ Good,” which was again a especially popular album.

Veronika Crawford was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1952, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a child, she sang in school and church choirs. At the age of 15, she began to sing in clubs, accompanied by her father. She became the lead vocalist in a group that included bassist Bootsy Collins. In 1972, she had her first big concert in New York's Club Nico's, where she appeared in a program together with George Benson. In a tribute concert to Cannonball Adderley in 1975, she was on stage together with Quincy Jones and George Benson. Two of the songs recorded on that occasion were part of her debut album in 1976 “Everything Must Change.”

After her collaboration on “Street Life,” she joined the Crusaders for a tour which gained her international recognition, and she remained a bigger attraction overseas than in America. Her consequent albums were geared toward a more smooth jazz audience which played very well overseas.

Her album “Secret Combination” stayed on the albumcharts for over 60 weeks in 1981 and Randy returnedto the charts in 1986, with the top 10 single “Almaz”. Since then Randy Crawford has released over 15 albums and had several international multi-platinum hits. And if she still goes relatively unrecognized in her native land, she has become one of the world's most successful popular singers.