Randy Baltzell has always been a composer. When very young about age 4, he remembers his dad telling him of a hiking trip he had taken; sharing what it was like in the woods as the sun went down, how the woods grew quiet, and how wildlife behaved. The scene unfolded before Randy, and a picture began to form in his young mind of a “man vs. nature” scenario. Randy remembers going to the piano, to try and play out what was unfolding in his mind. It seemed larger than life to him, yet it was a feeling that had to be expressed in some way. The melody was simple, but embodied everything he was imagining at that moment. This memory remains clear to Randy today; as a defining moment, when a connection was formed between life experience, particularly in nature, and music, to share what cannot be expressed any other way. Over the years, his compositions have developed on that premise, “expressing what cannot be said with words". Randy began studying trumpet at age 9, while continuing to work with piano. Studying music through college, he played freelance gigs, and taught trumpet, always following his passion for heart-felt composition. Randy's compositions continue to be inspired by special and powerful moments in life. Until recently, his compositions were enjoyed only by family and a few friends. Opportunity finally presented a way for him to publish his debut album in 2018, Heart of the Wilderness - an inspired, positive expression of the power of nature, through music.
