When The Randy Oxford Band steps into the spotlight tonight at Jazzbones, it will mark the culmination of a busy and successful year for the Tacoma blues band.
Representing the South Sound Blues Association, the band made it to the finals at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February, advancing to the final eight out of 110 bands from 12 countries.
Trombonist and band leader Randy Oxford said the ranking is a major achievement. No small words from a man who’s been playing the blues for more than two decades and already has many accolades and awards on his résumé.
“It’s the exclamation point on what we’ve been trying to do and it’s opened new doors for us,” Oxford said.
Following the IBC ranking, the band has been invited to festivals from Quebec (Festival International du Blues de Tremblant) to Portland (Waterfront Blues Festival). Tonight’s event is a release party for the group’s latest CD, “Festival,” and a homecoming of sorts after a hectic summer.
The CD was recorded live at Sunbanks Rhythm and Blues Festival in Eastern Washington. Oxford said it already is getting airtime nationally and internationally.
The band itself is a reflection of just how much the blues have gone global. Featured vocalist Jada Amy is from Texas but has lived most of her life in Tacoma. Guitarist and vocalist Rafael Tranquilino is from Mexico City. Guitarist Jho Blenis is from Japan. Bass player Farko Dosumov is from Uzbekistan, and drummer Richard Sabol is from Rhode Island.
The band is heading back to the Midwest in November to play some of the top venues on the blues circuit. Before that, Oxford will host jam sessions on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas – his fifth year with that gig.
The accolades keep coming. Last week, the band was nominated for the prestigious Muddy Award from the Cascade Blues Association for Best Regional Act. It is the only Washington band to receive a Muddy nomination this year.
“Basically, we have become ambassadors for our Tacoma/Seattle blues scene, and we are now able to spread the word around the country and beyond about this great blues scene we have going around here,” Oxford said.
Oxford has a long history with Jazzbones. He’s hosted weekly adult and kids jam sessions there for several years. The kids jams have developed into an instrument giveaway program for youth in need of their first instrument. Oxford has kept that program going even though his schedule has put the jam sessions on hold. The program has given away more than 100 instruments.
“Some of the kids from my past Jazzbones jam sessions have been on the Blues Cruise with me, and another one (Nolan Garrett, 13) is going this October, so I get to showcase our local youth on the international stage,” he said.
“All of this is related to my history with Jazzbones, so having this homecoming/CD release party at Jazzbones is very special to me. I have met most of my band members at my past Jam sessions as well.”
Tonight’s show will feature guest percussionist Mike Muncy and guest bass player Eliud Atondo.
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541, craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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