Mark Randisi
When Andrea Bocelli first heard Mark Randisi sing, he believed he was listening to a Frank Sinatra recording. That’s a common response, but Mark is modest: “I’m flattered when people say I sound like Sinatra. I developed a love for the music, and I respect those who created it. However, I’m being myself…”
Close your eyes or turn your head; you’ll swear the voice you hear is the original Chairman of the Board. It’s really the voice of Mark Randisi, keeping the classic sound and style of Sinatra alive. What Mark does is an incredible tribute, not a mere imitation. His devotion to the music is apparent, and you’ll be swept up in the emotion he brings to each of his quality performances.
Raised in an Italian family in Detroit, Mark was surrounded by passion for music. His father was a trumpet player, and his grandfather an opera singer. After working in a family-owned painting business, Mark—as Casey Kasem would say—”put down his paint brush and picked up a microphone.”
According to Mark, it was Joe Vicari, CEO and owner of the Andiamo Restaurant dynasty, who really gave him his first shot at entertaining the concert-going public. A loyal friend, Mark has never forgotten those who have helped him along the way. He can still be seen as a featured performer (along with other headliners such as Regis Philbin, Tom Jones, Howie Mandel, Natalie Cole, Paul Anka, Gladys Knight, Lou Rawls, and more) at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren, Michigan.
Mark has appeared on stage with diverse performers and celebrities such as Ray Charles, James Darrin, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Debbie Reynolds, Fabian, Connie Stevens, and Rich Little. He gets lavish praise from other performers and observers. Some kudos are especially interesting—for example, Paul Rosenberg, producer/manager for rap star Eminem, wanted Sinatra-style music at his wedding. Mark was the only “live” entertainer considered for this star-studded event. He was hired, and was an instant hit!
It’s not only celebrities who appreciate Mark’s classic style. Well-known people in the media sing his praises as well. Author, radio, and television host Mitch Albom has been to Mark’s shows, and insisted Mark be a first guest on his television show. He proclaims, “Mark’s show is a must-attend!”
Whether accompanied by big band music or a full string orchestra, a Mark Randisi concert is pure magic. His smooth vocal stylings and engaging stage presence have taken him across the U.S. and Europe, performing with world-class musicians, and singing with accompaniment by a single piano up to a 63-piece orchestra. Mark’s entertaining personality, sense of humor, and rich voice make him an ideal choice for a wide variety of events. People who attend a Mark Randisi concert go away smiling, knowing “the best is yet to come.”
Paul Keller
Bass
Since 1989, string bassist Paul Keller has led his 15-piece big band, the Paul Keller Orchestra, to critical and popular acclaim. The PKO’s American Music Research Foundation Big Band Boogie Woogie concert was broadcast nationally on PBS throughout 2009 and 2010, and the PKO’s Jazz Student Outreach Program hosted 30 school bands and over 700 student musicians.
Paul is a prolific composer. In October 2010, the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra premiered Paul’s five-movement symphonic composition, The Ypsilanti Orchestral Jazz Suite. Written for jazz band and full symphony orchestra, this major piece celebrates Paul’s hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The suite was received enthusiastically, and praised by community leaders as an important and historically significant artwork.
Paul’s magnum opus, The Michigan Jazz Suite, is a collection of fifteen Keller compositions inspired by people, places, and icons of the great state of Michigan. With titles like Big Mac and Soo’s Blues, and featuring the Paul Keller Ensemble, The Michigan Jazz Suite won the Detroit Music Award for Best Jazz Recording of 2008.
In 2007, Keller created fifteen original orchestral charts for clarinetist Dave Bennett’s symphonic pops show, A Salute To Benny Goodman. Composed for jazz band and full symphony orchestra, it has been performed with over 25 major U.S. orchestras. Keller also wrote Bennett’s second orchestral pops show, Clarinet Is King, featuring ten new original Keller arrangements of songs performed by Artie Shaw, Pete Fountain, and Jimmy Dorsey.
Paul is well-known for his associations with pianist/vocalist Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone. He has performed with jazz greats Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Marian McPartland, Barry Harris, Jeff Hamilton, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Jon Hendricks, Wycliffe Gordon, Mulgrew Miller, Jay McShann, and James Moody, and he has recorded over 50 CDs with artists such as Larry Vuckovich, Scott Hamilton, Eddie Higgins, and Marcus Belgrave.
Paul was honored by the West Michigan Jazz Society as its 2001 Jazz Musician of the Year, and in 2002 he was named Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist by the Detroit Music Awards. Paul is on the jazz faculty of Detroit’s Wayne State University. He travels frequently, performing at jazz concerts, workshops, and clinics, and is well-respected as an innovative and enthusiastic jazz educator. In 1989, Paul Keller formed PKO Records to feature various southeast Michigan jazz artists. His newest CD is We Like To Riff—A Toast To The Nat “King” Cole Trio. For more information about Paul Keller, his jazz groups, and his CDs, log on to www.pkorecords.com.
David Taylor
Drums
David Taylor studied percussion performance at the University of Cincinnati/College-Conservatory of Music where his principal teacher was William Youhass. Other teachers include Salvatore Rabbio, Gordon Stout, and Tim Hagans. Since returning to Detroit, David has performed shows at the Fox, Masonic, and Fisher Theatres. In addition, he performs regularly with the Michigan Opera Theater Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. David has been a member of Wayne Sate University’s jazz faculty since 1991 and has toured Europe and South Africa with saxophonist Chris Collins. He has been on countless recordings, including work with Emmy award winning composer/producer Joseph LoDuca. David has taught at the Interlochen National Music Camp. He is a Vic Firth Artist.
Cliff Monear
Piano
Bio coming soon.
About The Motor City Horns
The Motor City Horns are a collective of Detroit’s most versatile musicians. As a group, the MCH have a longtime association with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, having joined the band in 2006 and recently completing Seger’s 71-city final North American tour. They have recorded on Seger’s last three albums (Early Seger Volume 1, Ride Out, I Knew You When) and joined the band on every tour since 2006 (2006 - 2007 Face The Promise Tour, 2011 North American Tour, 2013 Rock and Roll Never Forgets Tour, 2014-15 Ride Out Tour, and 2017-2019 Roll Me Away Farewell Tour).
They have also toured with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Clarence Clemons and The Temple of Soul, Laith Al-Saadi, Johnnie Bassett, and Thornetta Davis. They have made guest appearances with Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Brian Vander Ark and The Verve Pipe, Frankie Ballard, Susie Quatro, Andrew Dost from FUN, and locally with Greg Nagy, Michael King, Karen Newman, and The Brothers Groove.
The have appeared on over 50 recordings, including releases by Bob Seger, The Verve Pipe, Jr Jr, Carl Craig, the Shaun Murphy Band, Alexander Zonjic, and many others. As frequent guests with Zonjic, they have shared the stage and crafted horn arrangements for many well-known artists, including Bob James, Ray Parker Jr., Jim Peterik, Jeff Lorber, and Kenny G among many others. Individually, MCH members have worked with a variety of artists, bands, and orchestras that include Justin Timberlake, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble, and others.
The Motor City Horns offer a full-service production team, able to assist in any aspect of a live performance or recording project (recording studio, live venue, writing/arranging, producing, marketing/promotion, staging/lighting, etc…)