Some TV news personalities play music on the side. With Tom Randles, it may be the other way around, according to his Facebook intro: “Tom is a contemporary jazz musician. He’s also an award-winning television news anchor, working for NBC affiliate WSMV-TV in Nashville, TN.” On his CD
Destination Music City, backed mostly by piano, bass and drums, the guitarist-bandleader serves up a quiet storm of baby-making smooth jazz that’ll do George Benson and Earl Klugh fans right (with a credible hat tip to Carlos Santana tossed in for good measure). We’re told he seldom announces when he’s going to be jamming in a club, so this record release party and benefit for WFSK-88.1 FM marks a rare opportunity. The $30 cover includes admission, appetizers and a copy of the CD. And during the gig, if he needs someone to sit next to Demetria Kalodimos for a few minutes, please pass along our number.
— Jim Ridley