RANDY SABIEN  is a bluesy, rockin’, swingin’, funky, jazz violinist. With an intensely rhythmic, vibrant and inventive style, he has captivated audiences worldwide, playing with scores of bands and musicians of all stripes.

Dubbed “the past, present and future of jazz violin” by NPR’s Jazz Profiles, Randy is a regular at Big Top Chautauqua and has performed on A Prairie Home Companion and Austin City Limits.  His instrumental skill on the violin, guitar, mandolin, and piano, in the genres of jazz, country, and rock, is legendary.

Says Randy-

“I was going to title my appearance at the Café Carpe February 9 “Randy Sabien Naked.” But I didn’t want to risk a raid or, worse, play to an empty house. Instead I’m calling it “Rare Solo Concert.” It’s rare because I’ve built my reputation (assuming I have one) on being a violinist leading a band or accompanying singer/songwriters. However, when I’m home I seldom play the violin as it’s lonely and kind of boring. I strum the guitar, plunk the piano, sing and I find that personally entertaining. As a result, I’ve created a personal repertoire of songs and instrumentals (many of them original) that I seldom perform publicly live on stage. Until now! I will bare my musical soul – but keep my clothes on. In case it’s a flop, my ace-in-the-hole second set features me slinking into the background as Bill Camplin (who typically performs so low) steps up to deliver his powerful time-tested material.”

“Listen closely to Sabien’s great cascades of notes, and you will hear the grand arpeggios, broken octaves, double-stops, trills, and tremolos that have marked classical violin playing since the solo work of J.S. Bach. But that’s just the starting point for Sabien’s art which bristles with the spirit of bona fide jazz improvisation. Rather than simply embellishing a tune, he reconceives it, building and developing intriguing new musical motifs along the way. ”
Howard Reich, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Please call 920-563-9391 to reserve seats.