Album Notes

Andy's CD "Trio and Solo" includes an eight song trio set with two of Chicago's most in demand rhythm section players - bassist Jake Vinsel and drummer Mike Schlick. The solo set showcases Andy's take on the delicate art of solo jazz guitar.

Andy Brown is a guitarist based in Chicago. Born in New York City in 1975, he has played professionally for almost twenty years. He has had a varied performing career that has included stints in Cincinnati and New York. He performs often in the Chicago area leading his own trio, as well as playing his unique brand of solo jazz guitar.

As a sideman he has performed with jazz notables including Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Hod O’Brien, Kurt Elling, and Howard Alden as well as many others. He recently performed on the Oprah Winfrey show as part of a quartet backing Barbra Streisand. He has also worked with many names on the Chicago jazz scene at nearly every spot that features live jazz music.

Andy enjoys being a member of several bands besides his own. He works often with his vocalist wife Petra van Nuis, either in duo or larger groups. They have worked together all over Chicago, as well as venues throughout the country and Europe. He is a member of vocalist Kimberly Gordon's organ trio, featuring Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 organ. This group performs every Sunday at Chicago’s famed Green Mill. He is also a member of trombonist Russ Phillips' group, who recently released a recording featuring Andy entitled “One Morning In May.” Andy plays regularly with jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg's trio. They have worked overseas, as well as throughout the United States.

Andy had the good fortune to learn from several guitar masters, including Cal Collins, Ted Greene, and Howard Alden. His most important mentor was the late Kenny Poole, who called Andy his protégé.

"An uncommonly good player, with a modesty that brings to mind the fine Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert and a warmth suggestive of Joe Pass...has a gift for melody and plenty of rhythmic confidence...projects a naturalness when phrasing, and his overall intelligence makes understatement and subtlety virtues."
- Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine

"A tasteful, musical player...for all his easygoing virtuosity, he places the emphasis on musical phrase rather than pyrotechnics."
- Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

"Brown manages to wrap his rich harmonic style in a unhurried feel that calls to mind the spirit of George Van Eps with a current harmonic understanding...over-flowing with skill and imagination"
- Jack Huntley, All About Jazz

"Brown is a world-class guitarist who is more than capable of giving a clinic on accompaniment and solo guitar performance."
- Chip Henderson, Just Jazz Guitar

"Andy Brown is not about flash and dazzle but about nuance and tastefulness."
- Jeff Tamarkin, All Music Guide

“Andy Brown is much more than a very practiced jazz musician - he's the real thing and havin' fun doing it.”
- Palmer Moore, Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club

“Brown has an understated style whereby less is clearly more. That's not to say that he doesn't have fantastic chops. He can rip it up as easily as anyone. Yet his dedication is firstly to clean, thoughtful musicality, rather than just showy flash.”
- Chicago Jazz Magazine