Randy Napoleon

Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1977, Randy Napoleon was interested in jazz from childhood, due to his parents Greg and Davi, avid jazz listeners and supporters. The family moved to Ann Arbor, MI, and at age 13 Napoleon won a soloists award at the Heritage Jazz Competition in nearby Ypsilanti, sponsored by radio station WEMU-FM. From there it was music studies at Pioneer High School, where he played in their jazz big band directed by trumpeter and educator Louis Smith. Upon graduation from high school, he enrolled at the University of Michigan, participating in their then burgeoning ...