For those unaware, Randal Clark is a contemporary and concert saxophonist based in Salt Lake City who began playing saxophone at the age of 9.

On his new release, Imaginary World (out now via Blue Hour Productions), Randal is joined with music icons including: Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Randy Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary Novak, Michael Thompson, Gerald Albright, Sonny Emory, David Mann, and many more.

Randal Clark’s Imaginary World stretches beyond the conscious boundaries and illuminates the dark corners. It’s clear from the onset that it is steeped in jazz tradition with a giant foothold on both rhythmic and melodic foundations. Clark establishes himself early and never lets go.

Too often a buoyant blast off can ultimately fade away into the abyss of both the imaginary and conscious recesses of the mind or a once steaming groove can melt into the wallpaper. Even the most established of artists can find pacing to be a challenge.

Sequencing is an art form in itself. That said, it matters little without the right chops and strong compositions. Prolific songwriter Jeff Lorber is responsible for well over half of the material on this project.

As always, his tunes are bright and melodious. The keyboardist is also among the strong cast of musicians assembled for this recording. That list includes drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Gary Novak, bassist Jimmy Haslip (who also produced), guitarists Mike Miller and Michael Thompson, as well as several others. There’s even a special guest appearance from Randy Brecker for good measure.

1. Trailblazer (feat. Jeff Lorber)
2. New Day
3. Daybreak (feat. Jeff Lorber)
4. Living Underground
5. Discovery (Extended Version) (feat. Michael Thompson)
6. Boulevard East
7. Tiger Lily
8. Looking Back
9. Turbocharged
10. Time’s Arrow (feat. Randy Brecker)
11. Imaginary World

This melodiously on fire album opens on the burning hot rhythms of Trailblazer (which also features Jeff Lorber) and the smooth jazz hipsway of New Day and backs those up with the low ebb of Daybreak (also featuring Lorber), the upbeat and gentle funk of Living Underground, before we are brought forth the truly mesmerizing Discovery (Extended Version) featuring Michael Thompson.

That gentle funk hook line continues on within the energetic Boulevard East and the paced Tiger Lily, before musical proceedings are brought down to balladry levels on the ornate, and aptly-named Looking Back, the finger-snapping melodies of Turbocharged, the album rounding out on more funk from Clark (this time featuring Randy Brecker) on the brilliant Time’s Arrow, closing on the lusciously orchestrated title track Imaginary World.

As a performer, Randal has been extremely busy performing as a jazz and classical soloist. He has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and concerts around the country as a featured performer.

He performs regularly with the Utah Symphony Orchestra and is a regular session musician for TV, movie, video games, and more. His most enjoyable performances have been with the Cannonball Band both as featured soloist and also sharing the stage with artists like: Gerald Albright, Eric Darius, Elan Trotman, Andrew Neu, Lebron Dennis, and Keith Anderson to name a few.

As a music educator, he has received numerous awards, including: The Utah State Office of Education Sorensen Legacy Award for Outstanding Music Educator, the Utah High School Activities Association award for Outstanding High School Music Educator, Utah Music Educator’s Association (UMEA) award for Outstanding High School Music Educator, and the National Band Association Outstanding Band Educator and Outstanding Jazz Educator award.