Andy Brown is a Chicago-based guitarist. He was born in New York City in 1975 and has been playing professionally for more than twenty years. His varied performing career has seen him perform in New York and Cincinnati. Andy moved to Chicago in 2003 and has had the opportunity to perform with his own bands at some of Chicago’s most prestigious jazz venues. He also plays solo jazz guitar. Andy has led his own bands at The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club and has backed visiting jazz artists at places like The Jazz Showcase or the Harris Theater. He has been a sideman for many well-known jazz musicians, including Howard Alden and Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski (Ken Peplowski), Anat Cohen, Kurt Elling and Ken Peplowski) as well as Joe Cohn. He has worked alongside many jazz musicians in Chicago, including Don Stiernberg and Kim Cusack, Chuck Hedges and Judy Roberts. He is a favourite among vocalists for his love of great tunes and accompanying skills. Andy is married to Petra van Nuis, a frequent partner vocalist. He has worked with many Chicago’s top singers, including Jeannie Lambert and Marc Pompe, Kimberly Gordon, Paul Marinaro and Hinda Hoffman. Andy was also privileged to be with Barbra Streisand on her Oprah Winfrey Show appearance in 2009. Andy has performed at many festivals around the globe, including the Chautauqua Jazz Party and Chicago Jazz Festival. Andy has performed at many private and public events as well as parties. His trio was invited to Chicago by the Mayor’s Office to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner. In Chicago, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were invited. Andy’s trio was also hired by the U.S. State Department in 2012 to play music at the gala opening night of the NATO summit in Chicago. Andy enjoys being in several other bands. Petra van Nuis is Andy’s vocalist. They often work together in duos or larger groups like Petra’s Recession Seven. They have performed together in Chicago, and at venues across the country. Andy co-led a two guitar quartet with Howard Alden since 2009. Delmark Records released “Heavy Artillery”, a CD by the group, in 2013. It received four stars from Downbeat Magazine. The album was also featured in their annual Albums Of The Year. This recording captures a 15-year-long relationship between the musicians. It includes a mixture of standard jazz tunes, Brazilian songs, and songs written by other jazz guitarists. Andy is often accompanied by Don Stiernberg’s jazz mandolin trio. They have performed at festivals in Germany, Brazil, and the United States. He is also part of Russ Phillips’ trombonist group, which includes Russ’ Quartet as well as his Windy City All-Stars. Andy has appeared on many recordings. He was a leader when he released “Trio And Solo”, his 2007 debut album. His latest Delmark Records release is “Soloist,” which he released in 2015. He has received positive reviews from both critics and his fans for this solo recording of jazz guitar. Petra van Nuis has collaborated with him on three CDs, the latest being “Petra’s Recession Seven Live in Chicago” (2012). 2015 saw the release of Chris Foreman’s debut album “Now Is The Time,” of which Andy was proud to be a part. 2013 saw the release of “Mandoboppin” by Don Stiernberg, a mandolinist. Andy is featured on the acoustic archtop guitarist. Kimberly Gordon’s 2011 “Sunday”, released on Sirens, featured Andy on acoustic archtop guitar. Russ Phillips’ 2008 recording “One Morning In May” also featured him. Andy was fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Ted Greene, Cal Collins and Howard Alden. Andy’s most important mentor was Kenny Poole who considered him his protégé. from www.andybrownguitar.com
