Pianist/composer/arranger ANDY ROBERTS arrived at his approach to music and composition thru the absorption of musical styles from disparate eras. His influences range from jazz greats Fats Waller, Bud Powell, and Chick Corea to rockers like Professor Longhair and Rick Wakeman. He incorporates all of these music genres into his own compositions and improvisations.
Born in 1967, Roberts grew up in Lebanon Pennsylvania and began playing professional gigs at the age of 14. He later attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music (Boston Massachusetts) where he was awarded the Joe Zawinul Scholarship.
Roberts repertoire includes a busy schedule of music directing, performing and writing within many formats of the music world. He has been music-director for numerous theaters, most notably for the Timbers Dinner Theater in Mt. Gretna Pa. He has arranged and recorded several nationally released children’s CD’s. Internationally, Roberts toured Japan several times with soul legends The Three Degrees.
Roberts’ current project “Under the Radar”, is his premier CD as bandleader/composer. Under the Radar is jazz based with a nod towards progressive rock. It features many of the great musicians associated with the Central Pennsylvania music scene.
As a band leader, Roberts has lead and co-lead several different projects as vehicles for original music and arrangements. Current bands include The Four Piece Quartet, Meantime, the Two Man Group and the Andy Roberts Group. His music has been featured on WVIA National Public Radio and RUV Icelandic Radio.
As an educator, Roberts teaches jazz-studies at Lebanon Valley College in Annville Pa. and co-leads the Music in the Schools program which presents introductory jazz and improvisation programs to area schools.
| POSTED BY: momof5pacs | POSTED ON: 18 Apr 2008 01:01 PM | ||
"Under The Radar" by Andy Roberts is a Progressive Rock album rooted heavily in Jazz. The arrangements are highly advanced, yet effectively retain listenability. The music on the CD has a great energy and the tracks clearly demonstrate the extremely high musicianship level of Andy and the other top-notch musicians on the CD. Both the male and female vocals complement the sound very well. You'll notice a constant lounge vibe throughout the twists and turns of these adventuresome songs. Highlights are the opener "There I Was," a high energy number with a lot going on and some cool changes. "Trance Dance" has a very creative arrangement and keeps you on your toes."King Ool" wraps it up nicely with some fine piano work and a fusion of ambient sounds. If you enjoy progressive rock or jazz/rock fusion, you will enjoy this one. -William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer TeamCheck out Andy Roberts's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites |
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