The Jazz Guitar of
Andy Brown


Press: Performance Reviews

Chicago Tribune
Top-notch jazz in an unusual spot-a shopping mall

That climactic finish led to the Rashid interview, which shed insight on what had transpired, nowhere more than in Alden's explanation of why he plays a seven-string guitar. By offering excerpts of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's "Tears" with and without the additional string — and the low notes it produces — Alden illuminated the inner workings of his art. Brown took a more anecdotal tack, discussing the origins of his friendship with Alden. When Brown was in his early 20s, he contacted Alden in New York and soon found himself playing alongside a musician he long revered. But Alden wasn't so much a teacher, said Brown, as "a big brother." Their bond, forged in jazz, clearly endures.
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Chicago Tribune
The gentle art of Chicago guitarist Andy Brown - solo

Early last Thursday evening, one of Chicago's most appealing jazz guitarists stepped behind the bar of the Green Mill Jazz Club, climbed onto the tiny stage there and began unspooling gorgeous strands of melody...every shift in tone and dynamics that Brown offered resonated crisply through the house, the characteristic beauty of his sound matched by the textural intricacies of his solos. Brown launched his weekly cocktail hour show at the start of the year, and it's already drawing a following, though surely no one relishes the opportunity more than the guitarist himself.
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Chicago Tribune
Whiskey Lounge marks anniversary with Andy Brown

One sure sign something important is about to happen on stage: Musicians are abundant in the audience. There were plenty of them at Whiskey Lounge...and it wasn't difficult to guess why the pros had turned out to listen. Chicago guitarist Andy Brown was celebrating the release of his eminently appealing new album, the aptly named "Soloist" (Delmark Records), in which Brown plays unaccompanied. Uncounted Chicago jazz artists have collaborated with Brown on club dates and recording sessions, and they know better than anyone the depth of his work and unpretentiousness of his manner....The setting gave guitarist Brown the opportunity for a beautifully sonorous set, and he made the most of it. Perhaps it should have come as no surprise that even when he held the stage alone, Brown emerged as a demure soloist, letting the music speak poetically for itself.
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Chicago Tribune
Andy Brown, Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis hit Chicago

Inspiring music-making isn't necessarily loud, aggressive, self-aggrandizing or heavily promoted. Consider what happens early every Wednesday night at Andy's Jazz Club, where the superb but serenely understated Chicago guitarist Andy Brown leads a quartet. Like him, his band mates speak softly but poetically. Brown's pastel tones, softly stated melody lines and delicately rolled chords conveyed remarkable intimacy and the guitarist's solo on "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" made a strong, soulful case for melodic simplicity....To Brown, it's the music that counts.
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Die Rheinpfalz (Germany)
Highly Emotional Classics - American Duo Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown at the Neustadt Jazz Club with Popular Standards

It very quickly became clear what a brilliant guitarist Andy Brown is and what an individual style he has developed in the course of his life as a musician...Brown is capable of presenting his complicated arrangements so that the listener often has the impression that three musicians are playing simultaneously, namely a bass, a rhythm and a solo guitarist....
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Wiesloch Woche (Germany)
Jazz Brunch With Petra and Andy

Andy Brown proved to be a topnotch guitarist, whose sensitive and varied accompaniment ingeniously supports his partner. His virtuoso solos were repeatedly followed by thunderous applause. After this performance it became clear to everyone why a mega-star like Barbra Streisand recently chose this exceptional musician to be in her band for a major television appearance....
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Chicago Tribune
Alden/Brown Quartet

Alden and Brown captured the exuberance and optimism of this music...The sheer headlong momentum of this music-making easily captured attention and simply never let go. Moreover, both Alden and Brown acquitted themselves as tasteful, musical players. For all their easygoing virtuosity they placed the emphasis on musical phrase rather than pyrotechnics...The way the two guitarists played off of one another suggested that their partnership ought to continue...
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Jazz Lives
Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown Chautauqua 2009

Andy impressed me immediately with his lovely chording, subtle melodies, and generous accompaniment. Many guitar players spatter the room with notes, gangster-style: Andy makes music. He has a lovely tone and a quiet pulse...
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Chicago Jazz Magazine
The Best Musical Mondays In Chicago are Not Downtown

His guitar playing is always melodic, understated, and involving; drawing the audience in with multiple techniques and textures instead of the guitar pyrotechnics that other players like to show off with....
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Andy Brown

For booking info or to join Andy's monthly mailing list, please contact Andy at: andybrownguitar@yahoo.com or 773-396-1180



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