Andrew Cheshire
Encyclopedia
Andrew Cheshire is an American
jazz
guitarist
.
As a child, Andrew played the piano
, but switched to the guitar at age 10. While majoring in fine art in high school, he played jazz in local bands around Long Island
. By 1980, Andrew moved to Brooklyn
where he began attending jam session
s at the clubs such as the Blue Coronet and Pumpkins. It was during this time that he had the opportunity play with jazz veterans like Harold Mabern
, Kenny Barron
, Gil Coggins
, Dewey Redman
and Louis Hayes
.
In 1991, Andrew had become a member of drummer Walter Perkins group and began forming an association with members of the M-Base
collective. During this period Andrew recorded his first sides as a leader which appear on the record Water Street Revival. In the mid-1990s, Andrew formed associations with tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, bassist Ron McClure and pianist Don Friedman
; the latter recording two records together — Andrew's This is Me (1996) and Don's Attila's Dreams (1998) dedicated to Don's longtime friend and musical associate, the late Attila Zoller
.
Andrew has recorded twelve records as a leader. He has written numerous compositions for jazz
ensemble and has recorded two records for solo guitar. His other musical interests encompass world music and classical for which he recently completed a string quartet. As an electric guitarist, Andrew's interest in sound amplification has led him to design and build several of his own guitar amplifiers featuring original circuits and visual themes. Andrew is still involved in the fine arts; his paintings in oil and canvas adorn the covers of many of his CDs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
.
As a child, Andrew played the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, but switched to the guitar at age 10. While majoring in fine art in high school, he played jazz in local bands around Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. By 1980, Andrew moved to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
where he began attending jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
s at the clubs such as the Blue Coronet and Pumpkins. It was during this time that he had the opportunity play with jazz veterans like Harold Mabern
Harold Mabern
Harold Mabern is a hard bop and soul jazz pianist.Early in his career, Mabern played in Chicago with Walter Perkins' MJT + 3 in the late 1950s before moving to New York in 1959. Mabern has worked with Jimmy Forrest, Lionel Hampton, the Jazztet , Donald Byrd, Miles Davis , J. J...
, Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
, Gil Coggins
Gil Coggins
Alvin Gilbert "Gil" Coggins was an American jazz pianist.Coggins was born to parents of West Indian heritage. His mother was a pianist and had her son start on piano from an early age. He attended school in New York City and the Barbados.In 1946, Coggins met Miles Davis while stationed at...
, Dewey Redman
Dewey Redman
Dewey Redman was an American jazz saxophonist, known for performing free jazz as a bandleader, and with Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarrett....
and Louis Hayes
Louis Hayes
Louis Hayes is an American jazz drummer.-Biography:His father played drums and piano and his mother the piano and he refers to the early influence of hearing jazz, especially that of big bands, on the radio...
.
In 1991, Andrew had become a member of drummer Walter Perkins group and began forming an association with members of the M-Base
M-Base
The term "M-Base" is used in several ways. In the 1980s, a loose collective of young African-American musicians including Steve Coleman, Graham Haynes, Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen, Robin Eubanks, and Greg Osby emerged in Brooklyn with a new sound and specific ideas about creative expression...
collective. During this period Andrew recorded his first sides as a leader which appear on the record Water Street Revival. In the mid-1990s, Andrew formed associations with tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, bassist Ron McClure and pianist Don Friedman
Don Friedman
Donald Ernest Friedman , better known as Don Friedman, is a jazz pianist. On the West Coast, he performed with Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Buddy DeFranco and Ornette Coleman, among others, before moving to New York...
; the latter recording two records together — Andrew's This is Me (1996) and Don's Attila's Dreams (1998) dedicated to Don's longtime friend and musical associate, the late Attila Zoller
Attila Zoller
Attila Cornelius Zoller was a Hungarian born Jazz guitarist. He won Deutscher Filmpreis for Beste Filmmusik in Germany for the film Das Brot der frühen Jahre in 1962.-Biography:...
.
Andrew has recorded twelve records as a leader. He has written numerous compositions for jazz
ensemble and has recorded two records for solo guitar. His other musical interests encompass world music and classical for which he recently completed a string quartet. As an electric guitarist, Andrew's interest in sound amplification has led him to design and build several of his own guitar amplifiers featuring original circuits and visual themes. Andrew is still involved in the fine arts; his paintings in oil and canvas adorn the covers of many of his CDs.
Discography
- This Is Me (Joule, 1996)
- Another View (Joule, 1997)
- Water Street Revival (Joule, 1998)
- Relax, Keep The Tension (CIMP, 1998)
- Magic (Joule, 2000)
- Guitar Noir (Joule, 2001)
- Faces (Joule, 2002)
- Morning Song (Joule, 2003)
- Pavane Pour Une Infante Difunte (Joule, 2003)
- Four Ages Of Bob (Joule, 2004)
- Silent Trees Falling (Joule, 2006)
- Virtual String Quartet (Joule, 2007)
- Ballads (Joule, 2010)
External links
- Andrew Cheshire Website
- [ All-Music Guide Entry]