The Jazz Guitar of

Andy Brown

Biography

Andy Brown is a musician based in Chicago who specializes in what he calls “old-school jazz guitar.” Born in New York in 1975, he has played professionally for thirty years. He has had a varied performing career that has included stints in Cincinnati and New York City. He has been called a “superior mainstream guitarist” in Downbeat magazine.

Since coming to Chicago in 2003, Andy has been fortunate to work at many of the area's finest jazz venues with his own bands, as well as playing his unique brand of solo jazz guitar. He has... read more →

Press

"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... read more →

News [updated April 2025]

Wednesday, April 9, I'll be at one of my favorite places to play, Winter's Jazz Club. I'll be there with two wonderful musicians - saxophonist Greg Fishman and drummer/percussionist Bob Rummage. This is a really unique instrumentation, I've never done a gig with just sax and percussion! We'll be doing two sets of all Brazilian music - songs by A.C. Jobim, Luiz Bonfa, samba, bossa nova!! So many good tunes to choose from, and we've got some really good ones picked out. Sets at 6:30 and 8:30.

For fans of the Chicago All-Star band "Petra's Recession Seven," we have two gigs this month. On Tuesday, April 22 we'll be at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. On Tuesday, April 29 we'll be at Chicago's famed Jazz Showcase. Come swing with us!

I'm also fortunate to play these four Steady Gigs every week! Thanks to so many of you who come by and make them special!!

Thursday Solo Jazz Guitar - At Chicago's famed Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. I play behind the bar for the cocktail hour show from 5PM - 7:15PM. No cover, tasty drinks, and I take requests. So many great friends come every week!

Sunday Brunch Jazz - I've started a new solo guitar brunch gig. It's at a great restaurant in Park Ridge called Fire + Wine. The food is tasty, the staff is friendly, and the vibes are great for solo guitar brunch! I'm there every Sunday from 11:30am-2pm.

Sundays Evening with Quartet at Andy's Jazz Club - Andy Brown Quartet at Andy's Jazz Club. Sets at 6PM and 8:15PM. With drummer Phil Gratteau, bassist Joe Policastro and pianist Jeremy Kahn. Celebrating 12 years together every week, come see how much fun the Swingin' Sundays are at this venerable club!

Wednesday Duo with Voice and Guitar - Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown voice/guitar duo at Hemmingway's Bistro in Oak Park from 6PM-9PM. Hemmingway's is a fantastic French restaurant and Petra and I are happy to perform for their Wednesday jazz nights. (I'll be absent 4/9)

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