Album Notes

Andrew J. Shelden is a classically trained, jazz-influenced pianist, organist and composer. He also plays double bass, percussion, tin whistles and bagpipes. He began serving as organist for local churches at the age of twelve. Andrew studied music at the College of the Siskiyous and at the University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music before completing his Bachelor of the Arts at Southern Oregon University. Andrew has been guest organist in churches from Ventura to Seattle and as far east as Denver and has played by invitation at the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento, CA and has toured northern Europe, performing in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia as well as Scotland and Ireland. He has been composing music since before he could play. His compositions range from jazz and new age arrangements of Christmas carols and other piano solos to full orchestral pieces in Classical, Romantic and Baroque mode, as well as his own blend of Neo-Classical, Jazz and 20th Century styles. Andrew's work includes organ concert pieces, a Christmas cantata, a piano concerto and a Concerto for Irish Pennywhistle and Chamber Orchestra, in addition to dozens of pieces for solo piano and Celtic-flavored pieces and a musical comedy-adventure about pirates. Andrew serves as Director of Music Ministries and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia and has served as Staff Accompanist at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, CA, where he taught and created courses in Music.

To read why Andrew Shelden is "George Winston on steroids," check out a review of this CD on ChristmasReviews.com.

What the papers have said about Andrew and his performances:

"emotionally charged....incredible depth and breadth of tone and color... ...subtleties and power.......substantial classical chops and...a heaping helping of jazz and improvisational skills. The result is a blending of classical and jazz elements for interesting arrangements, complete with a wink and a smile...."
Siskiyou Daily News

"...haunting...sentimental....fiery...original...fun....delightful selections....a real crowd pleaser...."
Pioneer Press

".... accomplished...."
Medford Mail Tribune

"..free and open....Shelden's arrangements evoke a diverse range of tone, texture and emotion. ...rollicking...haunting...a delight to the ear."
Mt. Shasta Herald