In the history of Jazz, saxophone and trumpet players predominate. For our May program, the MMC will present a trio that features a more rarely heard solo voice: the violin.

The Randall Harrison Trio features violinist Randall Harrison, who tours internationally as a freelance artist and presents clinics on Jazz and violin studies throughout the United States. Harrison’s gutsy, hard-driving swing and inclusive approach to composition are the basis for the trio. Randal is joined by bassist Mark Urness and percussionist Geoff Brady. Aptly described as “…brilliant musicians” by Music for America, they lead the swinging fiddler into new space in their collective interactions.

Harrison’s compositions draw from such diverse influences as Indian Classical music, Appalachian music, Gypsy and Klezmer traditions of Eastern Europe, and Astor Piazolla’s Tango Nuevo of Argentina. As part of the program, Randall will trace the history of the violin in jazz music and it’s illustrious players. This program will appeal to the area string community; to those more classically oriented, this performance could be a potentially meaningful introduction to improvised music.

Violinist Randal Harrison’s honors include a 1994 EMMY nomination for composition, the 2004 MAMA’s for Best Blues Artist and Best Jazz Album and the 2008 MAMA's for Best Jazz Artist and Best Classical Artist. Harrison tours internationally as a freelance artist and is a clinician of jazz and violin studies throughout the United States. He has played the Great Hall, the Knitting Factory, the Great Northern Bluegrass Festival and B.B. King's Blues Club in Memphis, TN. Randal Harrison's discography of over 50 recordings includes four as a member of Honor Among Thieves, two with jazz and classical guitarist Brad Reifsnyder and his most recent, The Randal Harrison Trio featuring Geoffrey Brady and Mark Urness.



Percussionist Geoffrey Brady is a native of Pontiac, Michigan. He studied percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy, New England Conservatory and University of Wisconsin with Sam Tundo, Vic Firth, James Latimer and others. He now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, where he performs regularly with such diverse ensembles as Yid Vicious, the Gomers and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he regularly performs solo on vibraphone and theremin. Geoffrey Brady is currently hard at work on a one-man show entitled "Me, Me, Look at ME!!: A One Man Show", which encompasses an array of Brady's talents, and includes music, dancing, sock-puppetry, and spoken word.

Bassist Mark Urness received a Master of Music in double bass performance from the University of Cincinnati and is currently a faculty member at Lawrence University. His diverse performance experience includes five years as Principal Bassist for the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and New York performances with Adam Nussbaum, Lew Soloff, Eric Rasmussen, and Curtis Fowlkes. Mark Urns compositions appear on several recordings including the Bob Washut Trio's Songbook, Triptych's Play Here. He has most recently recorded with Orquesta Alto Maiz, OddBar, and oft Ensemble. Mark Urness was awarded First Prize in the 2001 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition.