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 November 2024]

- This Wednesday, November 13 I'll be at one of my favorite places to play, Winter's Jazz Club. I'll be there with the virtuoso bassist Joe Policastro and swinging drummer Phil Gratteau, and we'll be doing two sets of music composed by two of the greatest jazz guitarists ever - Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. So many good tunes to choose from between these two titans, and we've got some good ones picked out.

- For fans of the Chicago All-Star band "Petra's Recession Seven," we have two gigs this month. On Tuesday, November 19 we'll be at Chicago's famed Jazz Showcase. On Tuesday, November 26 we'll be at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. Come swing with us!

- If you're in town or have friends and family visiting during Thanksgiving weekend, I'll be at Andy's Jazz Club with my quartet all weekend! Sets Fri-Sun (11/29 - 12/1) at 6 and 8:15.

- If you know anyone in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area, I'll be performing there with pianist/vocalist Judy Carmichael this Saturday. November 16 at St. Catherine's University.

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

Thursdays - 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!

Sundays - 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!

Wednesdays - Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown voice/guitar duo at Hemmingway's Bistro in Oak Park from 6PM-9PM. Hemmingway's is a fantastic restaurant and Petra and I are happy to perform for their Wednesday jazz nights. (I'll be absent 11/13 and 11/27)

I'm regularly posting new video to my YouTube page.

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