Album Notes

Violinist-Randal Harrison(a.k.a.-Randy Hoecherl) and Guitarist-Brad Reifsnyder (reef' sni der) have been performing together for more than 15 years. The musical intimacy that has developed over time shines through on their new recording, Just Friends-Live at the Lakeside.

Here's what others have said:

"Violinist Randal Harrison has long contributed to the deliciously eclectic Madison roots-rock band Honor Among Thieves, but he is also a classically trained player conversant in everything from improvisational jazz to country to classical. Harrison recently recorded Just Friends-Live at the Lakeside, an appealingly breezy instrumental jazz set with guitarist Brad Reifsnyder that indulges the pair's love of the classics, from Miles Davis and Charles Mingus to Duke Ellington and Wayne Shorter."
-The Onion

"...swinging gypsy jazz, straight ahead tunes and respectful interpretations of both Mancini and Mingus."
-Isthmus


Randal Harrison owes his foundation in the musical world to his mentor and founder of the American Suzuki Institute, the late Prof. Margery V. Aber. In 1980, Harrison changed his focus from classical music to the study of improvised music. Performances with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Bluegrass fiddlers Vassar Clements and John Hartford, Jazz bassist Ben Tucker, and the Rock band Honor Among Thieves highlight his broad range of musicality. In addition to performing, Randal shares his love and understanding of improvisation with students of all ages at workshops, institutes and classrooms throughout the United States.

Brad Reifsnyder's early love of guitar playing and exposure to various types of music led him to study jazz guitar with David Sullivan of Lawrence University. He continued to play both classical and jazz guitar at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. Reifsnyder has taught for the University of Wisconsin system, has toured internationally as a founding member of the band "Streetlife", and was co-owner and manager of Gilmour Bros. Music. Today, Reifsnyder continues to be a highly called upon accompanist and pursues his study of the two "G's" of life, Guitar & Golf.

Even though Harrison and Reifsnyder have been in and out of studios for years as studio musicians, composers and producers, Just Friends-Live at the Lakeside, is the first CD to feature the duo exclusively. It is a recording of the jazz standards Reifsnyder and Harrison have long performed together. The CD opens with the title track "Just Friends" (J. Klemmer) and ends with Charlie Mingus' "Reincarnation of a Lovebird". Sandwiched in-between is an unexpected mix of pieces by Louis Bonfi, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy McHugh, Theloniuos Monk, Henry Mancini, and Duke Ellington. Harrison and Reifsnyder seamlessly layer compositions from a variety of jazz traditions into a sound that is all their own.