Randy Jacobs

By Ken Capobianco

of guitar playing. The musician jazz fans recognize for his high-energy guitar fireworks onstage with the likes of Dave Koz, Rick Braun and other smooth jazz stars has a rich history in rock and blues music and an encyclopedia of anecdotes about his work with some of popular music’s brightest lights. The spirited, funny, and insightful Jacobs rapidly bounces from one idea to the next as he riffs on the enduring influence of Jimi Hendrix, the difference between playing the blues and rock, his segue into smooth jazz, and his long tenure with the influential rock-funk band Was (Not Was), all while talking about his career as a professional musician and his current projects. And the hard-charging guitarist has plenty to discuss these days as he continues his work as Koz’s music director while playing with saxophonist Mindi Abair in the white-hot rockblues band he co-founded, Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers. “My work with Dave and now with Mindi are two separate things and really different sounds, but I’ve been playing with so many musicians over the years. You learn to adapt, so I enjoy it. When you get down to it, you’re playing music, and you just have to be yourself,” said Jacobs, who is music director for the 2018 Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour with special guests Abair, Jonathan Butler, Keiko Matsui and introducing Sheléa. Jacobs and Abair have teamed up, with Abair taking over the lead of Jacobs’ longtime gritty, rabble-rousing rock band whose sound Jacobs dubbed as “alternative classic rock.” They just released a Christmas album, All I Got for Christmas Is the Blues, which comes on the heels of their well-received studio debut from last year, The EastWest Sessions. The prolific group will go into the studio in early 2019 to record a new album. Jacobs explained the genesis of the project. “We came together over the last few years. I was playing with my band The Boneshakers, and Mindi sat in with us because I had been sitting in with her band––we were cross-pollinating between bands, using different musicians from each. Her manager at the

a sound and mechanics to time, Bud Harner, suggested smooth jazz—there’s a bit we play together—he called me of a formula—so it took a minute or so.” up, and there was definitely that energy when we played.” He paused for a moment, then said that the kind of chemistry he finds working with Abair doesn’t happen frequently when two expert players get together. “You have to understand, you can play with the greatest musicians, but that spark might not be there. I mean you can end up with nothing, and it falls flat, but we had that chemistry––we didn’t have to work at it. At first, it was more Mindi Abair, and then we started toward Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers, and it’s working out.” The Boneshakers’ rattle and roll is on a different music spectrum than Jacobs’ work with Koz, which marks a left turn in the guitarist’s career. Jacobs explained that after Was (Not Was) wound down, he played with various smooth jazz artists including Warren Hill, Euge Groove, Braun and the late Wayman Tisdale before connecting with Koz. He added that there was a period of adjustment for him when he started with the multi-GRAMMY nominated star jazz saxophonist nearly a decade ago. “In the beginning, it was tough. I still didn’t understand that there was a sound and mechanics to smooth jazz—there’s a bit of a formula—so it took a minute or so. “After two years, I realized I have to be me. Because of that, it became better for me and Dave. I guess I gave it more fire and a different dimension for good or bad. I think, though, it works for Dave because like a lot of these guys like Brian Culbertson, they make quiet records and then go out onstage and the music comes alive. It becomes something else because you have to excite people.”

continued from page 19 Jacobs said that his time with Koz continues to be a learning experience and helps broaden his musical boundaries. “Dave’s music is so varied. He plays big band, and I never played that, so I had to ask questions and figure it out. When I play with Dave, it’s different––it’s certainly not how I play with Mindi; I can push the parameters more there. I really can’t do that with Dave. That’s not my place. Imagine [metal guitar virtuoso] Yngwie Malmsteen playing ‘Together Again.’ It just wouldn’t work,” he said, amused. Part of being a musical sideman and a team player is about adapting, though, and Jacobs said he’s used to it. “You learn things quickly in this business. When I was young, I played with Brook Benton, and he’d be like, ‘OK, give me a drink, it’s time for Randy to play,’ because he knew there’d be feedback, and I’d be playing while on my back,” he said with a big laugh. “I wanted to make it exciting, but you realize that’s not what it’s about sometimes.” The proud Detroit native, who claimed that he absorbed influences early on by watching Motor City area legends like Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Iggy Pop and Alice Cooper, has developed quite a resumé by working with disparate artists such as Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Ofra Haza and Lisa Stansfield (he has delightful stories about each one of them). While not a headliner or a household name, Jacobs is unquestionably one of the more successful working guitarists in the industry. “It’s better to be successful than be famous,” he said. “Being famous, you have limitations. But for me, I’ve been so blessed. I played with Was (Not Was), and I remember Roland [Orzabal] from Tears for Fears came down and heard me. He said, ‘OK, great, you gotta play for us.’ And that’s the way it’s been throughout my career. I’ve played with so many people––it has been terrific. I couldn’t ask for more. I’ve been able to be myself and do some special things.” Jacobs, 61, father of 23-year-old son Daniel, recently moved from Los Angeles to Gilroy, California, where he bought a home with his fiancée, Blanca Garza (six-time Emmy-winning journalist and newscaster for NBC/Telemundo 48 in San Jose, California). The couple plan to wed in January 2019. For more information on Jacobs, visit www.randyjacobs.com.

Instruments: guitar and vocals Performed and/or recorded with: Bobby Caldwell, Paul Brown, Gregg Karukas, Larry Carlton, Pamela Williams, Jazmin Ghent, Jessy J, Oli Silk, Donny Osmond, Taylor Dayne Education: bachelor’s degree in performance from Berklee College of Music Solo discography: Native Sun, Groovin’ at Sunset Website: www.carlylebarriteau.com

Instrument: guitar Performed and/or recorded with: the late George Duke, Brian Simpson, Euge Groove, Jeff Lorber, Boney James, Gerald Albright, Najee, Brian Culbertson, Everette Harp, James Ingram, the Luther Vandross Tribute, Kirk Whalum, Lalah Hathaway, Mindi Abair, The Sax Pack, Brian Bromberg, the late Whitney Houston, the late Wayman Tisdale, the late George Howard, the late Natalie Cole, Anita Baker and more Education: Bachelor of Science in composition from American Conservatory of Music Solo discography: The Weeper Website: www.arayfuller.com

Instrument: guitar Performed and/or recorded with: Randy Crawford, Jeff Kashiwa, Darren Rahn, Warren Hill, Gino Vannelli, Dave Koz, Down to the Bone, Michael Lington, Marc Antoine, James Vargas, Larry Carlton, Eric Marienthal, James Ingram, Dan Siegel, Guitars & Saxes, Patti Austin, Richard Elliot, Jimmy Haslip, Hiroshima, Roberta Flack, the late Natalie Cole, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bobby Caldwell, David Garfield, Brenda Russell, Boney James and more Education: Berklee College of Music, Musicians Institute Solo discography: Fact of the Matter, Beyond It All, Falling Up, Monkeys and Slides, Fly South Website: www.allenhinds.com

Instruments: guitar, keyboards, bass Performed and/or recorded with: Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson, Boney James, Euge Groove, Gerald Albright, Peabo Bryson, Brian Simpson, Sheila E., Jeffrey Osborne, Najee, Steve Cole, Michael Manson, Marcus Anderson, Larry Braggs, Eric Darius, Down to the Bone Education: Studied political science and business at Illinois State University and Northwestern University Solo discography: Gerey Johnson, You Didn’t Know? scheduled for release in 2019 Website: www.GereyJohnson.net

Instruments: electric and acoustic guitars, steel and nylon-string guitars Performed and/or recorded with: Althea Rene, “American Idol” Season 5