Following nine critically acclaimed CDs as a leader, guitarist Randy Johnston released his first DVD, Live at the Smithsonian Jazz Café, on Mel Bay Records in April 2006. Bassist Tom Pietrycha and drummer Tony Leone joined Randy on the recording.

Randy has also called on top players for his CD projects, including Tom Pietrycha, Tony Leone, Grady Tate, Joey De Francesco, Benny Green, Eric Alexander, Idris Muhammad and Johnny Griffin.

Raised in Detroit and Richmond, Virginia, Randy draws on rich and varied sources of inspiration to create a fiery blend of jazz and blues.

"My influences are a diverse group for sure," he said. "Guitaristically I would say Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Grant Green, George Benson, Jimmy Raney, Kenny Burrell, and even B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix have played a role in my development."

Randy has performed and recorded with jazz notables such as Lou Donaldson, Etta Jones, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lionel Hampton, Jack McDuff, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell and Irene Reid. He also lists Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles among his professional role models.

Randy gives special credit to his mentor, Houston Person, who helped him expand his musical knowledge and develop his recording skills.

Along with numerous appearances throughout North America, Randy has toured Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.

Randy earned a music degree at the University of Miami before launching his professional career in New York City in the early 1980s. He is currently on the jazz faculty at New York University, the State University of New York at Purchase and the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. He previously taught at Long Island University and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. He routinely conducts clinics and seminars at home and on the road.