Building on the success of his 2021 solo debut Dio C’è (“wildly ambitious” — AllMusic) and his co-led 2018 effort with pianist Jason Yeager All at Onceness, alto saxophonist Randal Despommier returns with A Midsummer Odyssey, a captivating duo session with guitarist extraordinaire Ben Monder. The central focus is the highly accessible yet always enigmatic music of Swedish baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin (1928-1976). Alternately boppish, cool, bluesy, folkish and chamber-like, Gullin’s pieces afford the Despommier/Monder duo endless opportunities for fresh reinvention.
DIO C’È
Dio C'è (“God Exists”), the debut solo album of saxophonist and composer Randal Despommier, is an autobiographical playlist of poignant, nostalgic, spirited, and uplifting new music. Featuring Despommier’s quartet and guest artists Aubrey Johnson, Ben Monder, and multi-grammy winner Jimmy Haslip, the album captures various scenes of Despommier’s life, from living/travelling in Italy, to moving to New York City. Contemporary jazz, Italian pop, alternative rock, Gregorian chant, and high-octane, gospel-infused grooves are all present in this bold display of artistry.
ALL AT ONCENESS
All At Onceness is a soulful mix of improvisational arrangements of Baroque, Romantic, twentieth-century, and contemporary pieces. With source material ranging from Bach to Stravinsky, Scriabin to Messiaen, these intrepid composer-improvisers stake out their own territory in a diverse program that combines folk-like melodies, evocative harmonies, and infectious rhythms. Joining the duo are three of New York's most adventurous artists: vocalist Aubrey Johnson, bassist Danny Weller, and drummer Jay Sawyer.
UPCOMING SHOWS
JULY 23
Randal Despommier, Jacopo Ferrazza, Valerio Vantaggio
Dram, Rome, Italy
SEPTEMBER 29
Randal Despommier & Ben Monder CD Release
Soapbox Gallery, Brooklyn
PRESS
"Wildy ambitious, genre-mashing recordings that speak to Despommier's wide-ranging influences"
- MATT COLLAR, ALLMUSIC
“Alto Saxophonist Randal Despommier blends the suavity of Paul Desmond with the intensity of David Binney on Dio C’è”
- MEL MINTER, MUSICALLY SPEAKING
"Dio C'è is impressive in his debut as leader”
- OFFBEAT MAGAZINE
"His music sounds fresh, it has a wonderful dancing quality and underlying soul"
- BAYERISCHER KLASSIK
OFFBEAT MAGAZINE
Swedish baritone saxophonist and composer Lars Gullin (1928-1976) never stepped foot on American soil, where his music remains rather obscure some 46 years after his death. Alto saxophonist Randal Despommier is shining a fresh light on Gullin’s musical legacy through this fine duo project with guitarist Ben Monder… READ MORE
ALLMUSIC
The debut solo album from alto saxophonist Randal Despommier, 2021's Dio C'è showcases his vibrant, cross-pollinated jazz style. Prior to recording the album, the New Orleans-bred Despommier studied at both Loyola University and the New England Conservatory, and spent time in Italy studying choral and sacred music… READ MORE
BR KLASSIK
Der amerikanische Saxophonist Randal Despommier lebt in New York und stammt aus New Orleans. Mit 38 Jahren legt er sein Debütalbum als Bandleader vor und fächert darauf zusammen mit seinem Quartett und musikalischen Gästen in insgesamt acht Kompositionen - davon sechs eigenen - seine facettenreiche, musikalische Persönlichkeit auf… READ MORE
NETTAVISEN NYHETER
Jeg føler meg overbevist om at jeg ikke er den eneste som aldri har hørt om saksofonisten og komponisten Randal Despommier. Debuten hans frister uansett til flere møter… READ MORE
offbeat magazine
Alto saxophonist Randal Despommier grew up outside New Orleans, where exposure to a rich gumbo of musical styles fueled his thirst to explore even more influences from his studies in New York, Boston and Italy. Punk and grunge rock, R&B, jazz, sacred church music, Italian popular song and European classical art songs have found places inside his musical psyche. Dio C’è is impressive in his debut as a leader, showcasing his versatility as a player and multi-faceted composer… READ MORE
musically speaking
Alto saxophonist Randal Despommier, a Louisiana native, brings an unusually wide range of musical experience to Dio C’è, his debut album as a leader—from playing Mardi Gras parade music to funk, R&B, and jazz gigs in New Orleans to serving as choir director and organist at Boston University Catholic Center and directing the A.M.E. Church of Zion choir in Cambridge, MA, and a community choir in San Martino, Italy. He brings all those musical interests to life on Dio C’è, with a lyricism and musicality that lies somewhere between the suavity of Paul Desmond and the intensity of David Binney… READ MORE
TEXTURA
Randal Despommier's packed a remarkable number of experiences into thirty-eight years. Now comfortably ensconced in New York City, the alto saxophonist grew up in New Orleans, where he earned a degree in jazz studies at Loyola University, acquired his doctorate in music education at the New England Conservatory in Boston, and even spent a year in Italy studying choral conducting at the Conservatory of Perugia and sacred music at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena… READ MORE
FRANCE MUSIQUE
Originaire de New-Orleans et aujourd’hui new-yorkais, le saxophoniste Randal Despommier fait ses débuts sur “Dio C’è”, co-produit par Jimmy Haslip, le bassiste des Yellowjackets. Sortie chez Outside in Music le 5 février. “Je crois que Randal est un immense talent. En tant que saxophoniste, il est au niveau international et c’est un compositeur très original”, confie Fred Hersch. Derrière chaque pièce de son album, Randal Despommier a une histoire très personnelle à raconter… READ MORE
RANDAL DESPOMMIER
SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER, EDUCATOR
A multi-genre musician from New Orleans who “blends the suavity of Paul Desmond with the intensity of Dave Binney” (Musically Speaking), alto saxophonist Randal Despommier has captivated audiences at venues including Carnegie Hall (Weill), the Regattabar, the Qintai Concert Hall in China, the Lilla Jazzfestivalen, Soapbox Gallery, and Snug Harbor with the John Mahoney Bigband.
Building on the success of his 2021 solo debut Dio C’è (“wildly ambitious” — AllMusic) and his co-led 2018 effort with pianist Jason Yeager All at Onceness, alto saxophonist Randal Despommier returns with A Midsummer Odyssey, a captivating duo session with guitarist extraordinaire Ben Monder. “A slow, simmering set of warm ballads” (Os’s Place Jazz Magazine) the central focus is the highly accessible yet always enigmatic music of Swedish baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin (1928-1976). PREORDER. Release date is July 15th, 2022, on Sunnyside Records.
A passionate educator, Despommier has directed the music program at Bard High School Early College (Manhattan), taught jazz history with the Bard College Prison Initiative, and has given masterclasses on improvisation in China and Sweden. He teaches music theory at Third Street Music Settlement and lives in New York City.
RANDAL DESPOMMIER
FOR ALL INQUIRIES:
RANDIPPIDES@GMAIL.COM