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Sabien will perform in a double bill with folk singer Johnsmith at the Heider Center Friday, Nov. 21. As a youngster in Rockford, Ill., Sabien was coerced into picking up the violin when the leader of the youth orchestra found himself a little short on strings players. Later, while receiving classical training in the violin at the University of Illinois, Sabien supplemented his income with gigs as a country/rock fiddler.
But it was his encounter as a college freshman with the music of the great swing jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli that changed the direction of Sabien’s musical career. After being knocked out by Grappelli’s playing, Sabien began immersing himself in the swing jazz of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.
Sabien realizes that some people are turned off by the word “jazz.” He advises such people to keep an open mind and he cautions against an all-or-nothing attitude that closes too many musical doors.
“The problem is that there are so many different kinds of jazz. A person might hear one kind and say ‘I don’t like it.’ Then they might hear another kind they like and ask “Is that jazz, too?’” It’s like that with any big genre. I like rock music but there’s a lot of stuff I don’t care for either. Same with the blues,” Sabien said.
Although Sabien’s music is hard to nail down categorically — his work has elements of rock, swing, blues and even country — a common element is that, as stated on his Website, it’s “groove-oriented.” For those who might have the preconception that jazz is strictly abstract “mind music,” a Randy Sabien concert will quickly clear up that notion.
A multi-instrumentalist — he also plays guitar, piano, cello and mandolin — Sabien often works as a sideman on projects with other musicians. His first jazz album was released to glowing reviews. With his musical career flourishing, Sabien then did something in 1989 that few professional musicians have ever even considered — he moved to northern Wisconsin.
His great-grandparents lived in Shell Lake and the Sabien family spent many a summer vacation in the area. “When I became a musician and realized I didn’t have to live any particular place, I thought “Hey, why not live in a place I really love?’” Sabien said.
So, Sabien moved to Hayward. That’s where he’s been based ever since and he even started his own record label (he’s done six CDs so far with two more in the works). While the area is known more as a mecca for muskies, not music, Sabien is happy with his choice.
“I travel a lot so this is the place I live rather than the place I work. Still, you’d be surprised at the opportunities that come your way when you are doing what you love,” he said.
Sabien plays often at the Big Top Chautauqua in nearby Bayfield and has regular gigs in states all over the Upper Midwest. In addition to his work as a sideman on other musician’s albums, he plays regularly as a guest soloist with symphonies all over the country.
For the Heider Center concert, Sabien will bring two bandmates, Andy Dee and Corey Carlson.
“Andy plays guitar and slide guitar and Ry Cooder is a big influence. Corey plays the guitar as well and is a songwriter. His parents owned the ski hill where the Big Top Chautauqua is so he heard a lot of great music and was inspired to be a musician at an early age,” Sabien said.
“We’ll probably play for about 30 minutes, then Johnsmith (and local favorite Randy Sebranek) will come on for 30 minutes. After that we’ll get together for a joint improvisational session. It will be pretty spontaneous and there should be quite a blend of colors. I’ll be bringing a mandolin, a piano and a cello.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Randy Sabien and Johnsmith in concert
WHERE: Marie C. Heider Center for the Arts, 405 E. Hamlin, West Salem
WHEN: 7:30 p.m, Friday,Nov. 21
TICKETS: $12, $10 for students & senior citizens. Box office open noon to 7 p.m. on Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Phone: 786-1220, ext. 4
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