Randy Oxford

By Kathy Rankin
The holidays are behind us, but this year was different--Randy Oxford had Thanksgiving eve off for the first time in 30 years. According to Randy it’s not easy to stay home when you are booked all over the world.

So how does a musician stay so busy and find such talented people? Randy replies, “Up until the last two years, I was hosting weekly jams in Tacoma and Seattle for ten years straight. This gave me the opportunity to meet and hear so many great musicians and find out who was available. I met all of my band members through my jam sessions.” Jada Amy is the featured vocalist and she also contributes to the band’s original material. Jho Blenis is one of their guitarists/vocalists and songwriters. Richard Sabol is the drummer. Farko Dosumov is the bass player and Manuel Morais is their newest member who brings high energy guitar/vocals and song writing to the mix.

The band members agree that “playing in the Randy Oxford Band has been a very positive and growing experience--making music together has been a magical experience and we are all like family. We have our ups and downs, but we have fantastic perks taking us to many diverse places to perform for the fans. We truly love what we do and each of us has something beautiful to contribute--to add color to the music and the notes!”

The Randy Oxford Band exerts energy and enthusiasm at each and every show they do. As Randy puts it, “The key is getting the crowd moving into our music and to make sure that we are having fun ourselves with what we are doing and that will reflect the fun and energy to the audience.” He goes on to say, “To be in the Randy Oxford Band, you must find a way to have fun and show it on stage.”

The fun is captured on their CD, Festival, which was recorded Live at Sunbanks Rhythm and Blues Festival. Randy says, “This performance was one that we could not pass on, so we recorded it on CD because it captured the essence of what our live shows are all about.” The CD is getting airplay worldwide and as far away as Crotia. The CD was released in 2011 and also was sent to Memphis for the IBC best self- produced CD representing the South Sound Blues Association. It will be judged for the upcoming International Blues Challenge.

At the 2011 IBC Randy and his band made it to the finals in the Orpheum Theater, in Memphis. Randy reflects that the whole Memphis experience helped launch tours of Canada, including the International Blues Festival in Quebec. Randy says, “It is truly one of the most amazing festivals in the world.”

The Randy Oxford Band performed at the 2011 Waterfront Blues Festival. It was a great evening slot and had a packed and excited, enthusiastic audience for his show, even though it was at the same time as Buddy Guy’s set--regardless, many people came down to see the Randy Oxford Band. They did what they do best, partying till the cows came home. It was an amazing set!

After finishing a mid-west tour, Randy took a short break to talk about his tour. This tour included playing for audiences in Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and Topeka. Randy says they have a strong fan base throughout the mid-west.

There is also a very strong fan base on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. The cruisers really look forward to Randy’s jam sessions with all of the legendary blues artists from all over the world . Randy says that musicians and fans should attend the blues cruise at least once in their lifetime. Once you go on the blues cruise, you will want to go again. You can get on Randy Oxford’s VIP referral list by calling 1 888 BLUESIN and tell Tracy or LeeAnn that Randy sent ya, code word GOrandyGO! On these cruises it’s not unusual to be up at 5:45 am and still hearing a jam session, with players you would have never imagined to be playing together. It never ends on the blues cruise because it is really 24/7. Randy really enjoys hosting jams on the cruise and having the opportunity to play with a diverse group of musicians from all over the world.

Randy also has his own company, called Oxford Entertainment. He puts on the Mt. Rainier Music on the Mountain Festival in the spring and the annual Mt. Rainier Rhythm and Blues Festival in the fall. Randy just added a third event, the Big Sky Blues Festival, in Noxon, Montana. As Randy puts it, “festivals with camping/RV is a plus for me, (as are all three events), because any event with camping enhances the over all festival experience!” 

Mark this on your calendars--Randy Oxford Band will be back in Portland on March 4, 2012 at the Benefit for MS, a concert to be held at the Roseland Theatre. The artists include a whose-who of performers: The Robbie Laws Band, Duffy Bishop Band, Boogie Bone, AC Porter and the Live Wires, Chad Rupp and the Ruppshakers, and the Gunnar Roads Band. Stay tuned to the BluesNotes for more info about the event. Check out the Randy Oxford Band website at www.randyoxford.com or for information about Randy’s events www.oxfordentertainment.com. If you are interested in more information about the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise go to www.bluescruise.com.

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