Sounds of A&R

AWARDED & named “Best Jazz Group” at New York City Reader’s Jazz Awards, The
BILLBOARD charting artist Sounds of A&R, aka S.O.A.R., is the brainchild of vocalist April
May Webb and trumpeter Randall Haywood. Partners in music and life, April and Randall, have
come together to create a distinct sound. The paths of vocalist April May and trumpeter Randall
Haywood first crossed at Moore’s Lounge, a jazz club in New Jersey. April May & Randall both
took to the stage to sit in on a tune at a jam session, and without even knowing each other, the
musical chemistry was instant. April May and Randall’s union produces a sincere and hopeful
sound rooted in jazz. However, it extends Itself to feature elements of Country, R&B, and
Gospel.

Both April and Randall studied music on the East Coast. She received her bachelor's
degree at William Paterson University, studying under the late great Mulgrew Miller. Randall
received his Master's degree at The Juilliard School in New York City.

In 2023, S.O.A.R. was appointed as United States Cultural Ambassadors, a part of the American
Music Abroad program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Funded by the U.S.
government and administered by the Association of American Voices. As ambassadors, Sounds
of A&R toured the countries of Fiji and Tonga, performing and presenting music educational
workshops at Performing Arts Centers, Universities, Schools, colleges, and other locations.
In the year 2023, Sounds of A&R achieved significant recognition through the receipt of two
prominent national grants. Specifically, they were honored as the recipient of Chamber Music
America’s 2023 Performance Plus grant, as well as being distinguished as a recipient of the
South Arts Spring 2023 Jazz Road Touring Grant.

Their single “Horizon” peaked at #17 on The Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts in 2015. Also,
their self-titled debut album made the Jazz Week TOP 15 Chart and ended up on Jazz Week’s
TOP 100 albums of 2017. That same year, S.O.A.R. began touring relentlessly with legendary
Jazz drummer Thelonious Sphere Monk III, aka T.S. Monk. Randall is also the musical director
of The T.S. Monk Band.

In 2021, Sounds of A&R released their third studio album, “Questions Left Unanswered,”
an album filled with an amalgam of lively original compositions and cover arrangements of time-
tested classics. This new release presents evocative pieces that speak deeply to both artists' paths
and the moment's struggles. It peaked at #12 on The National Jazz Week Charts and landed on
Jazz Week’s Top 50 Jazz Albums for 2021. In 2022, S.O.A.R. Won “Best Message Video” for
their music video “The Skin I’m In” at the 38th Annual Songwriters’ Association Competition.
S.O.A.R. Won “Best Music Video” in the 2021 River Film Festival for their music video
“Moments When I Was a Kid” from their album “Questions Left Unanswered.”

These two are not only a dynamic duo but also outstanding musicians individually. Randall was
the youngest member to join the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at 15. He also was a featured
trumpeter in The Peabody Award-winning PBS program “Marsalis on Music.” April May was the
first African American Female to graduate from the Jazz Education program at William Paterson
University. Also, in 2021, she placed first runner-up at the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal
Competition.

Sounds of A&R’s success can only directly reflect their love of music & their mission to take the
listener on an artistic journey through an array of colors. Pulling inspiration from their deep love
for one another, S.O.A.R. expresses that love through beautifully crafted compositions with
fresh, innovative arrangements that, pun intended, SOARS.