Photos
Randy Porter Jazz Pianist by Kathleen Elsesser 2019
Randy Porter, photo by Rosaura Sandoval
Portrait of jazz pianist Randy Porter by Kathryn Elsesser 2019
Bio
- Download printable bio (PDF)
Quotes
PORTER PLAYS FRISHBERG UNSUNG
Throughout the disc, the three (Porter, Wiitala, Strait) display their undeniable musical virtuosity, and sparkle with a sense of joy within the music.
–Paul Rauch, All About Jazz 6/2020 Review of Porter Plays Frishberg Unsung
PORTER PLAYS PORTER WITH NANCY KING
(Porter Plays Porter) is glorious..really beautiful. (The) arrangements and playing are gorgeous and (the) band is swinging deep too.
— Kate McGarry
The (Porter Plays Porter) album is GORGEOUS! (The) playing and arranging are SUBLIME!
-Tierney Sutton
“(Porter) delivers the goods. His modern interpretations of eight Porter classics (plus one worthy Randy Porter original) are dazzlingly accomplished.”
– Allen Morrison, Downbeat 1/2018 Review of Porter Plays Porter with Nancy King
“Veteran pianist Randy Porter is a fine modern straight ahead pianist…His solos are swinging, boppish and full of subtle creativity while keeping the melodies in mind.”
— Scott Yanow, LA JazzTImes Review of Porter Plays Porter with Nancy King
“…Randy Porter, an exceptional pianist whose grace and grit should win him many new friends. Listen!”
– Dr Chuck Berg
“…Randy Porter, the brilliant, svelte improviser.“
– Paul de Barros, Seattle Times, review of “Some Other Time”
“…possessed of a fabulous technical command of his instrument, which in his case manifests itself not so much in rapid and glitzy runs as in subtler pianistic virtues: gorgeous touch, remarkable independence of left and right hands, and seemingly effortless execution of his harmonically rich musical outpourings.”
– Glen Good
“Randy has built a reputation as a musician’s musician, a knowledgeable, inventive, and sophisticated player with a remarkable sense of time and gorgeous keyboard facility…”
– Lynn Darroch
“I’m impressed with Randy’s great confidence, a confidence that allows the music to breathe deeply.”
– Chuck Berg
“The phrase that hooked me comes at the hands of pianist Randy Porter… As a soloist, Porter is soulful and intelligent.”
– Jason West
“…Porter has a wide-ranging jazz piano approach and seems able to handle any sort of groove…”
– John Henry
“From exuberance to melancholy, Friesen, Porter and Jones have musically portrayed the whole emotional range associated with that special kind of affection; sensitively, artistically and elegantly. If love can be heard, it sounds like this.”
– Review of “Name of a Woman” on Intuition
“…Randy Porter makes his case for that small circle of great West Coast pianists…”
– George Fendel
MADELINE EASTMAN AND RANDY PORTER, A Quiet Thing (MadKat)
“Pianist Randy Porter is equally superb here (A Quiet Thing CD). He is the perfect complement and compliment to (Madeline) Eastman’s unique interpretations. His breadth of touch and dynamics mirror and enhance Eastman and never detract or distract. His harmonic range is pure Impressionistic palette. His is a consistently intelligent, cooperative approach in every manner. Porter’s accompaniment could be played alone and it would shine as a Equatorial sun.”
–Nicholas F. Mondello, All About Jazz, CD Reviews 3/8/2013
“…The contrast between the marching-band funk and the substance of Porter’s modern voicings, hip phrasing and stop-time comping sets up a pattern of tension and release that makes the track one of the most stimulating in the album. Porter’s imaginative harmonies and the sensitivity of his touch define the slow waltz ‘Eight Little Feet,’ which is dedicated to his children. ‘A Little Kindness’ and many of Porter’s other compositions, works from a nostalgic core while exploring audacious rhythmic and harmonic concepts. It highlights the fleetness of his right hand and features LaBarbera in a typically melodic solo.”
–Jazz Times