Multi-talented Detroit musician Paul Randolph, aka “Randolph”, comes from a musical family. He began honing his musical skills at a very young age. Born in Philadelphia, PA he and his family relocated to Sao Paulo, Brazil when he was six years old. Randolph explains, “It was then not only did I learn to speak a second language, but I also began to really study music. I was playing guitar – my father and I both had the same guitar teacher. The influence of music was huge because music is very much a part of the Brazilian culture.”

“My first exposure to music was, primarily, from my Dad. He played jazz trombone in high school and college. He, my mother, and grandparents exposed me to a wide range of musical genres. Ultimately, this all had a major impact on my decision to go into the music business.”

Eventually settling in Detroit during his teen years, he graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Marketing while continuing to perform music and work a variety of other jobs. Randolph eventually put all of his focus into his calling, music. A versatile musician who plays guitar as well as percussion, the bass is the instrument that Randolph fell in love with. “The person whom I consider my mentor, who really helped me the most, and is one of my favorite bass players, is the late Jaco Pastorius whom I met at a Weather Report concert. I had the opportunity to hang out with him for a few hours. He gave me a lot of great advice and changed how I approached my discipline and dedication to the instrument.”

Always a snazzy dresser with a unique sense of style, Randolph comments, “I remember my parents as always being very stylish. My Dad used to have clothes custom-made. My grandmother was a seamstress and my godmother is a designer.  So, I’m sure they had something to do with my sense of style.”

Randolph has performed with such greats as Tony Allen, Odetta, and Johnny Johnson, to name a few. He was lead vocalist and bassist for the Detroit-based New Orleans-style funk and blues band Mudpuppy. After his stint with Mudpuppy, he went on to perform and record with Amp Fiddler, iSoul8, As One, Tettory Bad, Catz n Dogz, Makoto, Charles Webster, Jeff Sharel, Zed Bias, and currently, the Berlin-based, Jazzanova. Randolph’s music has been categorized into many different genres, pop, rock, neo soul, jazz, funk, blues, and electronic. His first solo CD, “This Is…What It Is” was released on Kenny Dixon, Jr.’s Mahogani Music imprint in 2004. His second solo project, “Lonely Eden” was released in 2007 and featured collaborations with notables, Stephanie McKay (“Broken”) and Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers (title track “Lonely Eden”).

Although a bit secretive about his latest projects, Randolph does reveal that one of them will be a hybrid of house and dub step music with producer Zed Bias from Manchester, UK. He has recently finished recording a rock project and is writing his third Randolph studio release. In addition a number of collaborations are in the works as well. “There is a lot of music that I love, a lot of things that I want to say, and a lot of ways I want to say it.” Often branded as one of Detroit’s finest musicians (most recently voted Artist of the Year by Real Detroit Weekly publication), we are sure to be pleasantly surprised and pleased with all of Randolph’s future musical endeavors.