This video is of Randy Newman singing “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” and playing piano live at Jazz Open, Stuttgart, Germany. The song is from the movie ‘Toy Story’ and is about the friendship of the film’s characters Andy and Woody. Randy’s unique style of singing, keyboard playing, and lyric writing have made his performances easily recognizable.
Randy Newman spent his youth in Los Angeles, California. His family later moved to New Orleans. Newman began piano lessons when he was six.He began his successful and longstanding songwriting career at the when he was 17. He states that Ray Charles had the biggest influence in the development of his music style, and that you can easily hear in his singing.
Randy Newman has been in the music world his entire life, singing, songwriting, playing piano, and composing and arranging for film. He is best known for his work scoring such films as “Toy Story” and “James and the Giant Peach”. He has been recognized with two Academy Awards, and numerous other accolades, including an Oscar, 3 Emmy awards and 5 Grammy’s. With his enormous contribution to American music, Randy Newman is truly a national musical treasure.