Keith Andrew

Keith has been playing guitar since he was just 10 years old and has never lost the passion to listen, compose and create music that is fresh, distinctive and new. His latest and third independently released solo recording is cookin’ up some hot new flavors which he calls Blue Funky Blue. This latest CD perfectly reflects the dynamic blues elements he’s incorporated into his music since he released his first self titled debut and its popular follow up Contemplation.

Originally from Baltimore, he moved with his family to San Francisco where he has been influenced by the rich and diverse music scene the Bay Area has to offer. Melding the influences of the San Francisco street style musicians and those of his teachers, Joe Diorio, Buzz Feiten, and Smooth Jazz mainstay, Norman Brown at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Keith has been able to develop a sound that is uniquely his own. Loaded with self confidence, training, and experience, Keith has made his mark by gaining significant airplay on both terrestrial and internet radio. He has also performed live with numerous Northern California based bands, such as the popular World Jazz Fusion band Mana Humana, as well as showcasing his diversity during a stint with the South African band, Zulu Spear, Sound Minds, and others. Most recently, Keith sat in with Saxophonist, Marcus Anderson, at Humphrey’s Backstage in San Diego. Playing with these unique ensembles is exactly what makes Andrew different. From World music, Jazz, to Blues – Keith Andrew is a talented and eclectic composer and performer who has kicked instrumental music into high gear.

On Stage

Keith co-founded and co-composed for the LA based Jazz/R&B band Himalaya, which became a staple of the Los Angeles music scene in the early 1990s. Keith had the honor of sharing the stage with stars such as Najee and Pieces of a Dream. Himalaya, whom Keith on occasionally still performs with to this day, has been at the core of many of Keith’s recordings and live performance projects, but more recently he has been focusing on his own group – The Keith Andrew Band - which has been performing at festivals and clubs in the Bay area. He has a unique, exciting sound that gets down in your soul, from your heart to the soles of your feet, and makes you want to stand up and dance – regardless of age. Keith says, “Growing up and living most of my adult life in the Bay Area was great for my musical development because I was exposed to so much world music, eclectic jazz and have gotten to be part of the area’s big jam band scene. Now in my solo work, I’m incorporating all that but also realizing that blues is the root of it all.” And that’s why The Keith Andrew Band is in such high demand.

Music

If you blend Contemporary Jazz with a touch of Latin rhythms, sprinkled in some funky retro soul to spice things up, tossed in some fusion and hard edged vocal blues… you’d get the newest musical release from composer and guitarist Keith Andrew. Keith’s latest CD, Blue Funky Blue gets seriously deep into the classic funk vibe from the start with “Pookie’s Groove Revisited,” but this is just the beginning. This 13 track set is full of a music adventurists’ dream with laid back retro R&B grooves, crisp electric guitar melodies, retro sound effects, exotic choral voices and even rolling drum beats. It’s exotic, eclectic, Bluesy and Funky. The tune “Bayon,” which features keyboardist Nate Ginsberg (who has toured with Herbie Hancock) keeps the retro cool going with those sharp electric lines gliding over easy percussion textures in a dreamy atmosphere. Then “Samasama,” a revamped version of a track from Keith’s debut album, swirls a soaring atmosphere, retro sound effects and a buoyant, rollicking guitar melody reminiscent of Chuck Loeb; the track features keyboardist Kit Walker. Keith even gives a nod to France on the song “Fertile Crescent” which is an exotic Euro musical adventure via a charming accordion harmony, but he doesn’t stop there. Andrew even rolls back to the days of Zulu Spear – the world/African band that included band mates Carlton Lowe and Cecil “P-Nut” Daniels – with exotic choral voices, rolling African guitar melodies and lively, joyous percussion in the tune “Sherpa Dance”. As fulfilling as the music is up to then, he then saves the party tunes for last and amps up on the electric rock-fusion slow jam “Howl Mountain” (a wink to Howlin’ Wolf ) and adds his formidable lead vocals to the horn-splashed blues rocker “Goin’ Down To The City.” Last, but not least, is Keith’s fun and funky composition “Who Dat, Where You At?” – a crowd favorite at his live shows.

The project also features the masterful drumming of Aaron Haggerty, melodic bass lines of Steve Evans, superb and soulful trumpet work from Scott Vento, combined with bassist Ben Burleigh’s funky grooves, adding exciting musical depth to the CD. With each song, with each melody, with each extraordinary composition, every song on Blue Funky Blue is enriching and satisfying right down to the very last note!

For Bookings & Interviews call:

Keith Andrew

415-722-7480

keithandrew@mac.com