Andy Waddell Quintet at Feinstein's At Vitello's

Andy Waddell was born and raised in the LA/Orange County area. He studied Jazz guitar starting in middle school and later continued on to be one of the few undergrads in USC history to receive a scholarship to study in their world renowned Studio Jazz Guitar Department. As a youngster, he studied jazz with some of LA’s finest guitarists including Frank Potenza, Joe Jewell, Pat Kelly, Bruce Foreman, and Joe Diorio. Performing professionally since his teens, Andy has worked alongside countless jazz greats including Grammy award winner Maria Schneider, Peter Erskine, Jim McNeely, Bill Watrous, Kendall Kay, Wayne Bergeron, and Kim Richmond to name a few....

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Andy Waddell was born and raised in the LA/Orange County area. He studied Jazz guitar starting in middle school and later continued on to be one of the few undergrads in USC history to receive a scholarship to study in their world renowned Studio Jazz Guitar Department. As a youngster, he studied jazz with some of LA’s finest guitarists including Frank Potenza, Joe Jewell, Pat Kelly, Bruce Foreman, and Joe Diorio. Performing professionally since his teens, Andy has worked alongside countless jazz greats including Grammy award winner Maria Schneider, Peter Erskine, Jim McNeely, Bill Watrous, Kendall Kay, Wayne Bergeron, and Kim Richmond to name a few.

Andy Waddell’s unique and edgy sound turns heads no matter who he performs with. His group plays very progressive, cutting edge original music that makes for an exciting and musically engaging experience. The virtuosity delivered by both the compelling writing and stellar performance is transcendent. His music takes the listener on a memorable journey of outstanding modern jazz; it is intellectually satisfying while its lyrical melodies are pleasing to the ear. His writing, arranging and playing stands out as an extremely progressive approach to jazz that is rare to the west coast.

Andy’s first album as a leader, “Sunset to 7,” was released last year and enjoyed world wide success. The CD was on numerous top ten jazz charts and #35 in CMJ magazine, where Andy was one of the top 5 new artists. He recorded his second album earlier this year. It is scheduled to be released this summer and features LA all stars Josh Nelson (piano), Tom Catanzaro (tenor), Dan Lutz (bass), and Aaron McLendon (drums). This album is destined to surpass the high praise enjoyed by “Sunset to 7?:

“Nothing short of SUPERB . . . seamless jazz with a cutting edge all the way through.”
- Improvijazzation Nation Magazine

“Great guitar work and this has to be truly “a watch out for” in the future. Awesome co-ordination.”
- Graham Barclay, Soundwave FM

“Fresh and well played,”
- Leo Ramirez, CITR Vancouver, Canada

“Remarkably polished and boldly self-confident.”
- Wavelength Radio

“A guitar man that’s been at it since he was a jazz kid turns his tyro to tower as he finally steps out on his own after backing up the serious jazzbos of our times. A very creative, wide ranging release that shows his stuff throughout as a writer/player/leader, Waddell is more than ready to get everyone to know his name. Sleek, contemporary jazz that hits the mark hard.”

Chris Spector – Midwest Record – www.midwestrecord.com

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