The Jazz Guitar of
Andy Brown


Press: CD Reviews: Soloist

Just Jazz Guitar
"Soloist" Review

Andy Brown is a major leaguer who'll score with aficionados and casual listeners alike because he respects the compositions while presenting his own take on a tune. His choices are astute and any jazz guitarist would enjoy an evening appreciating his artistry while his or her date would just enjoy the good music. Brown is smart and savvy like Les Paul and Armstrong who'd always lay the familiar in the listener's lap as a constant reference point for his improvisations...Highly recommended.
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Jazz Times Magazine
"Soloist" Review

Brown crafts a consistently alluring performance. The rubato opening, the artful embellishments, the sleek improvisations, the subtle comping, the sparkling harmonics that light up the coda: All add to this opening cut's lyricism and charm - so much so, in fact, that there are times when the familiar refrain, or a light-fingered variation, seems to be dancing in mid-air.
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Jazziz Magazine
"Soloist" Review

Fingerstyle specialist Andy Brown brings a wealth of stylistic range and technical ability to his first solo-guitar outing. Impeccable as it is, his technical prowess is surpassed by a keen sense of tuneful improvisation, making the date a particularly joyous affair..."Soloist" is that rare date where every take is a pleasant surprise.
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Vintage Guitar Magazine
"Soloist" Review

Chicago-based Andy Brown is 40 years old - meaning that some of the songs here were popular decades before he was born, as well as illustrating his maturity, along with the fact that he's done his homework....Brown is comfortable and authoritative on ballads, uptempo numbers, and Latin grooves...Brown achieves a tone that is warm but round, with plenty of definition. The effect is intimate, as though Brown is giving a masterful private concert in your living room.
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Chicago Tribune
Brilliant New Jazz Albums

Chicago clubgoers know Brown from his prolific appearances as headliner or sideman in all the city's major rooms, where he stands as an understated player who lets the music speak for itself. By the very nature of this solo recording, however, Brown for the first time basks in a spotlight he thoroughly deserves. Playing alone on a recording — and sustaining listener interest through 14 tracks — poses considerable challenges, and Brown addresses them with grace and aplomb.
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Downbeat Magazine
"Soloist Review

Andy Brown is a superior mainstream guitarist...a closer listen reveals plenty of subtle creativity....the playing is fairly spontaneous with the uptempo "Drum Boogie" and a lyrical "Memories Of You" being among the high points.
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Rifftides
Monday Recommendation

Reminiscent of George Van Eps in terms of masterly chording and avoidance of technical display for its own sake, he has a distinctive way of integrating bass lines in his improvisations...Brown is not widely known beyond Chicago and environs. This album may change that. read article →


Jazz Lives
Warm Translucence: Andy Brown, Solo Jazz Guitar

Andy Brown makes music, first and always. His music woos the ear and the brain but lodges deep in the heart...Soloist is a love letter to beautiful songs played with affection and swing, and it is easy to listen to without being Easy Listening. It would impress any harmonically-astute guitar whiz but it could also embrace someone who knew nothing about substitute chords.
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Chicago Jazz Magazine
"Soloist" Review

The reading of these 14 standards showcases his lyrical virtuosity at its best, as he reinterprets them with deft elegance without wandering far from their original essence... His lithe and sophisticated flourishes shimmer with quiet romanticism. Brown is a master of understatement, exposing the emotional core of the music without resorting to overt melodrama...He crafts superb, multilayered performances without the need of orchestral accompaniment.
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Jazz Guitar Society Of Western Australia
"Soloist" Review

This is a fine new solo guitar album from our member from Chicago Andy Brown. Andy has a unique and fluid solo style and this debut solo album I rate very highly.
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Gapplegate Guitar and Bass Blog
"Soloist" Review

Maestro Brown is impeccable on this recording, giving us some incredibly convincing, very sophisticated and subtle examples of what the finger style can be. All I can say is that you need to hear this. Sure, most of us, maybe even all of us can never hope to get to this level with the style. That of course is all the more reason to hear him on this album. It's sheer guitar heaven! Do not miss it.
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Kenosha News
"Soloist" Review

Playing solo is no small feat, and Brown is one of the best, providing both the rhythm and lead parts. At times, you'd even swear that you were listening to two guitarists, instead of only one. Splendid.
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Jazz Society of Oregon
"Soloist" Review

Perhaps some of you elders remember a category in the Downbeat jazz polls with the title "Artist Deserving of Wider Attention." Well, I would think that guitarist Andy Brown would be a serious candidate in such a poll. Here he is on the distinguished Chicago label Delmark Records, playing a collection of wide-ranging titles with a perfect and respectful tone, tons of musical ideas brewing constantly under his hands, and overall an album that any serious guitarist should love hearing.
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International Association Of Jazz Record Collectors
"Soloist" Review

Guitarist Andy Brown's nimble touch, lightly-amplified sound and good taste in repertoire are evident immediately on Soloist, a formidable collection recorded in a single evening...A pleasure from start to finish, and easily recommended.
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Soloist

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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