Artist description To understand the music, you have to understand what "Uptown Player" is not. This is no ordinary band. In fact, "Uptown Player" is not even a group! The captivating performances heard on "Urban Escape" are the genesis of one man's vision of what contemporary jazz should be. That's right! "Urban Escape" was produced and recorded entirely by one musician ... one track at a time. His name is Tom "T.J." Randles, and Randles is on a mission to dispel musical myths and to revolutionize the way listeners feel about the music they embrace.Randles, a veteran musician with engineering experience, currently plays more than a half dozen instruments, does all of his own string and horn arrangements, and sings all vocals on his new release, "Urban Escape". The entire CD was recorded by Randles at "Bridgewater SoundLab" in Virginia Beach, VA.

Music Style Contemporary/Modern Jazz

Artist History T.J. Randles, aka "Uptown Player", grew up in the mid-west and studied guitar for a few years at a conservatory of music in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana. "I took up guitar when I was about six years old. I guess I was destined to play guitar since my father is a guitarist." The six-string instrument is his favorite. But piano, bass-guitar, and percussion instruments, run a very close second. New York Times Broadcast Group Elden Hale, CEO Randles, who is a self-taught musician, didn't really get serious about learning other instruments until he reached college where he studied to become a professional broadcaster. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree In Radio and Television and a minor in film. He has worked as a News Photographer, Reporter, and Anchor in various cities around the country such as San Francisco, Miami, Pittsburgh, and currently Norfolk, Virginia, where he co-anchors two evening newscasts with former CNN anchor Lyn Vaughn for the CBS affiliate. He's an Emmy award winning Anchorman who also received the prestigious "Black Achievers In Industry Award" during a 1999 ceremony in Manhattan, NY.

Albums Urban Escape

Location Chesapeake, VA - USA

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