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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.

The art of interpreting songs, as the great popular singers of old did, seems to be going out of fashion more and more. It is Randy Crawford' s strength. She is willing to interpret any style of song-jazz, soul, rhythm & blues, pop melodies, smooth ballads or funk-as long as she feels connected to the music and lyrics at a certain time. The pieces she selects are transformed by her pure, warm tone and her emotional vibrato, together with their light and breezy jazz and funk arrangements.

After experiencing difficulties with America record companies who didn't know what to do with an artist who wasn't limited to either the jazz or R&B domain, Crawford got off to a new start in Europe. There the singer had instant success with the ‘95 album “Naked and True,” released by WEA Germany, the record saw Crawford return to her jazzy soul sound of the 1970s. The album remained in the top album charts for 20 consecutive weeks. Awash in newfound popularity, Crawford hit the road again and toured extensively all over the world.

Randy Crawford and Joe Sample: Live

by Jeff Winbush
October 23, 2012

It's a slight exaggeration to say that keyboardist Joe Sample rescued Randy Crawford from pop music limbo, but it's not too far from the truth. Crawford is among the most distinct vocalists working, but her discography is riddled with over-arranged and over-produced disappointments. One of her finest moments remains when The Crusaders dropped all 11 minutes of “Street Life" on radio airwaves in 1979, featuring Crawford belting it out.Some 27 years would pass Sample and Crawford before they ...

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Album Review

Randy Crawford and Joe Sample: Feeling Good

Read "Feeling Good" reviewed by Jeff Winbush

by Jeff Winbush
May 3, 2007

The dilemma for an artist of vocalist Randy Crawford's caliber is that, when you do a lot of things well; it's hard to say what it is you do best. Crawford has been making music since 1976 and, in that time, she's made some good albums, a lot of mediocre ones and a few awful ones.Even her best-known song is only as a guest vocalist on The Crusaders' “Street Life," their last moment of greatness almost thirty years ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Randy Crawford

Source: Michael Ricci
February 18, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Randy Crawford's birthday today!

Recording

PRA Records To Release Randy Crawford & Joe Sample – Live Featuring Steve Gadd On Drums And Nicklas Sample On Bass In Stores July 31st

Source: Inque Public Relations
July 27, 2012

Electrifying Performances Recorded On Tour at Various Concert Venues Throughout Europe From October – December 2008 Randy Crawford and Joe Sample have been making music together in one form or another for nearly 36 years. From their first hit together in 1979, “Street Life” (which Randy sang with Joe and The Crusaders) to “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” “When Your Life Was Low” and “Last Night at Danceland,” to their recent duo collaborations on the GRAMMY®-nominated CDs Feeling Good (2006) ...
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Festival

Bethel Woods Concert Series Set for August 4 with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Earl Klugh, and Randy Crawford/Joe Sample

Source: All About Jazz
June 6, 2007

Evening of JAZZ at BETHEL WOODS featuring DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET RANDY CRAWFORD & JOE SAMPLE EARL KLUGH Saturday, August 4, 6:30pm DOORS OPEN AT 5:00 PM TICKETS ON-SALE Monday, June 11 at 10AM Ticket prices: $59.50, $35.00 Reserved and $25.00 Lawn Ticket prices, dates, times and acts subject to change without notice. All ticket prices plus applicable service charges. Charge-by-phone at (845) 454-3388. In person at Ticketmaster outlets, Steve's Music Center, Exit 109 Rock ...
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Performance / Tour

Joe Sample and Randy Crawford at the Keswick Theatre on May 6, 2007

Source: All About Jazz
April 19, 2007

Legendary jazz pianist JOE SAMPLE and soul vocal icon RANDY CRAWFORD stop at Glenside's KESWICK THEATRE in support of their new CD Feeling Good, on Sun., May 6 @ 7:30 PM

From the first downbeat of “Feeling Good," the title track of the new album, through the last note of the final number, “Mr. Ugly," the listener is drawn into the warm embrace of their long musical heritage. A mixture of soul, jazz, gospel, pop, and of course a little ...
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Festival

Kool & the Gang and Randy Crawford to headline fourth annual Philips Dubai International Jazz Festival 2006

Source: All About Jazz
September 19, 2005

Dubai, 18 September 2005: ChillOut Productions, the organisers and promoters of the Dubai International Jazz festivals, has announced that Kool and the Gang and Randy Crawford swing into Dubai for the Middle East’s fourth annual Philips Dubai International Jazz Festival. They will head another strong line up of other musicians for this festival scheduled for February 8-10, 2006. These would be announced shortly. “Following last three years’ tremendous successful festivals, we were faced with the challenge of making the 2006 ...
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