News & Events
WorldBeat Marimba Band in Concert with Ben Baldwin and the Stairwells
The WorldBeat Marimba Band, led by Randy Armstrong, and The Stairwells, an a cappella group led by Ben Baldwin, performed Saturday, February 1, 2020...
New Original Music Scoring by Randy Armstrong for “The Case of the Vanishing Firefish”
Randy Armstrong provided scoring for the play "The Case of the Vanishing Firefish" performed by the EnActe Theatre. The play, written by Ajay...
WorldBeat Marimba Band Premier Concert
The WorldBeat Marimba Band, led by Randy Armstrong, held its premiere concert performances on November 23, 2019 at South Church in Portsmouth, New...
Randy Armstrong—2017 Governor’s Art Award Winner for Arts Education!
On November 1, 2017, Randy Armstrong was awarded the 2017 Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Education in a celebration hosted by Governor Chris Sununu,...
Review of Randy Armstrong by India Currents
“When Randy Armstrong has to create a specific piece of music that must evoke an Indian feel, he just orders a sitar from India. “Every piece of music has to be original in its creation and cultural fidelity,” he explains. That is how he has over 300 instruments in his collection, including 14 types of guitars, three sets of tablas, and a bansuri flute in every key.”
Beyond Borders Nominated “Best World Album” by ZMR
In 2016, "Beyond Borders" by Randy Armstrong and Volker Nahrmann was nominated for "Best World Album" for the 12th Annual ZMR Award Show. The Award...
Review of “Beyond Borders” by MWE3.com
“More than a collection of tracks, the album is a scenic travelogue covering a range of World Beat music with the accent on Latin, Brazilian and Indian music and those genres are just some of the scenic signposts dotting the album’s sweeping terrain. In addition to his expert synth guitar work and his background in exotic percussion, Randy Armstrong is a seasoned guitarist who is equally gifted on both classical, steel string and electric guitars and he uses all of it to enhance the sound. Volker Narhmann gives the album its tasteful sonic thunder so to speak and he plays a range of different acoustic and electric basses.”
Review of “Beyond Borders” by Portsmouth Herald
“Revered musician Randy Armstrong is back with his latest recorded effort, ‘Beyond Borders,’ which is literally just that —a global musical voyage with no boundaries. It’s an exploration in sonic textures and global grooves that evoke movement and, at the same time a serene space in which to meditate and reflect on, well, life.”
Randy Armstrong, Arts Councilor for the NH State Council on the Arts, 2003-2012
Randy Armstrong served as an Arts Councilor for the New Hampshire State Council of the Arts for 9 years. He was appointed by Governor Craig Benson...
Review of Do’a’s “Legacy Complete Works” Box Set by The Wire
“The collaboration between Armstrong and LaRoche lasted for 17 years, concluding with a concert at Harvard University in 1991. During that span, Do’a recorded five albums and played concerts all over the nation and world, helping to pioneer an all-encompassing style that has come to be known as world fusion. A sampling of the music’s influences range from American folk and jazz to traditional African, Indian, Tibetan, Andean, Native American and Middle Eastern music.”
World Tales Volume II Awarded 2007 NAPPA Honors Award
The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) has award World Tales Volume II an Honors Award in its Children’s Products Competition. NAPPA...
Review of “No Regrets” by The Wire
“The world is a much smaller place these days. With the click of a mouse or the punch of a button on the TV remote, you can read a soldier’s blog, swoop like a bird through exotic locations on “Google Earth” or watch world events happening in real time–just like millions of others half a world away. We’re all experiencing the same things. All this new technology has just put an exclamation point on what musician Randy Armstrong has been saying in words and music for nearly four decades–the people of the world are more alike than not.”
Review of “No Regrets” by New Age Retailer
“Randy Armstrong is a one-man wonder. His ability to play more than 200 instruments from around the world, as well as his degree in composition and world music, all shine through on No Regrets. Although Armstrong is primarily a guitarist, and a fantastic one at that, his rhythmic skills also are impeccable. Drawing from sitar, Lakota courting flute, djembe, and tabla to round out his sound, he presents a polished set of guitar-based themes on No Regrets.”
Review of “No Regrets” by Northeast Performer Magazine
Randy Armstrong’s all acoustic, all instrumental pieces tell more story than any poet-cum-musical artist ever could in rambling verbal form. There has been such stress on story and lyrical form that the music has taken a backseat for poets who want to lend musical voice to their stanzas.Armstrong’s playing is itself lyrical without words, each track sucking the mind in through the guitar soundhole as if through a wormhole into the great Whatever. Randy Armstrong is an artist fit to reintroduce the listener to the area of acoustic music as something to be appreciated and savored.
Review of “No Regrets” by Spirit Voyage Music
“Listening to No Regrets, Randy Armstrong’s tenth album, is like listening to a whole season of concerts in one sitting. As one of the pioneers of the world fusion music genre in the early 70’s with Do’ah World Music Ensemble, Randy brings all of his experience and performance genius to a collection of songs that range from the evocative sounds of a Lakota courting flute to a most sophisticated jazz guitar arrangement of Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green.” In between, Randy explores the full range of emotions and captures them in ground-breaking arrangements that further his reputation as one of the most innovative musicians of the era.”
Review of “No Regrets” by Alter Magazine
“No Regrets is a perfect name for this record. I have no regret in wanting to review it! The CD graphics are adorned with intricate pictures of sunsets – a perfect description of this album. Randy Armstrong uses the entire duration of this CD for intense acoustic guitar solos, soft, obscure ballads of almost trance-like songs that bring you to another state of mind. His talent is amazing. While most music these days tries to capture your attention, this record reminds me of those artsy movies when the main character looks out his window and watches the countryside pass. It’s perfect background music for reading or pondering the universe. When you feel tired and need to relax, turn to this album. Even though Armstrong offers no philosophical ideas on the cosmos or love or life, I’m sure it will inspire you to find the answers of your own. I recommend starting with the idea of having No Regrets.”
Review of “No Regrets” by Portsmouth Herald
“No Regrets is a strong musical statement from a musician whose playing has defied categorization throughout most of his career. Whether it be on guitar, sitar, wood flute or various percussion instruments, Armstrong takes the listener on a sonic joyride from start to finish.”
Review of “Dinner on the Diner” by BarnesandNoble.com
“If only music could smell of good cooking, this lovely set would make your mouth water … evocative … timeless … spicy … This international musical journey is tantalizing — the perfect gift for your favorite cook.”
Review of “Dinner on the Diner” by Ritz FilmBill & NYC Angelika FilmBill
“Dinner on the Diner is great music…a welcome refuge in a hectic world.”
Review of “Dinner on the Diner by Film Score Monthly
“Dinner on the Diner is a companion soundtrack to the PBS series of travel adventures from South Africa, Spain and Southeast Asia. Composer Randy Armstrong is along for the ride, contributing two solid hours’ worth of ethnic world music to carry the show from locale to locale.”