ABOUT
ANDREW YOUNG
BORN IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
STARTING YOUNG
Andrew started his musical training with clarinet and saxophone lessons, but like most other lads his age, he would have rather have been playing football! Time spent in front of the goal posts was as crucial as time spent practicing his music and even after leaving school he was still torn between a career in football or music. However, music's hold on Andrew eventually pulled him away from sports.
After completing his sax and clarinet studies in London, Andrew moved to Germany to pursue a desire for a broader and more eclectic involvement in all genres of music.
He had the honour of performing as soloist with various Symphony Orchestras and engaged in session work and concerts alongside Pop/Jazz/Funk luminaries such as Matt Bianco and Precious Wilson Band.
AFRICA CATALYZES A WHIRLWIND OF SUCCESS
The invitation to perform in South Africa jumpstarted an engulfing wave of success with the Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and newly formed 5 piece Jazz/Funk/Fusion Band “Let It Flow.”
Andrew soon became involved in the crosscurrents of South African and international music, meeting and being invited to perform with artists such as Joseph Shabalala (Ladysmith Black Mambazo), Jonathan Butler, Shakatak, Shirley Bassey, James Galway, American R+B artist Keith Washington and a tour of Austria with Dionne Warwick.
THE ALBUM TOPPED THE CHARTS
This resulted in the release of his debut album “Soul People”, a synergy of forces with BMG and producer Dennis East. The album topped the South African charts twice and was nominated five times for the South African Music Awards, paving the way for a pivotal point in his career.
An invitation to perform at the opening of a Ski Resort in St. Christoph, Austria evolved into a 4-month tour of Hot Summer Night concerts in amphitheatres along the south coast of Turkey every year from 1997 to 2007. This led the way to performances with leading Turkish artists such as Sezen Aksu in Ankara and recordings with producer Garo Mafyan in Istanbul. With the success of the album, Andrew recorded exclusively for the company Magic Life; the tour was extended to Tunisia and Greece, with CD sales attaining Gold status.
Another highlight was an invitation to play in Mexico, Venezuela, St. Maarten, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands and especially Havana, Cuba, where Andrew and the band shared in the captivating and energetic Cuban rhythms. It was here that he had the honour of meeting and performing with Ramiro de la Cuesta from the 70s funk band The Crusaders.
PERFORMANCES FROM EUROPE TO AFRICA, THE FAR EAST TO THE CARIBBEAN
Performances from Europe to Africa, the Far East to the Caribbean, opened a gateway to unparalleled opportunities Andrew never thought possible during those early days spent practicing scales!
Andrew continues to tour the People's Republic of China, with audiences of up to 14,000 attending concerts in Beijing.
Andrew undertakes a yearly Coast to Coast Tour of South Africa. From Ballito to Paternoster performances have been sold out. One of the highlights of this tour is performing at the Jazz On The Rocks Festival on the West Coast.
Residing in Austria Andrew is invited to perform throughout Europe with regular concerts in Vienna. In 2009 Andrew was awarded an Honoree Doctorate for Services to Music by Vienna University, presented to him by Otto Von Habsburg (Archduke of Austria).
Attending Andrew’s concert Mr. Heinz Fisher, President of Austria, was so enthused he joined Andrew on stage to play a note or two!
“From day to day, I hope to be inspired and to inspire the many great musicians, friends and listeners who journey with me and enrich all my experiences along the way.”
Andrew Young
"One of the most complete Sax players in the world today."
Saxophone Journal (USA)
"For years musicians have asked the question; was there ever going to be another artist like Art Porter, a saxophonist with a ton of technique and the funky soulfulness to use that technique in support of emotional and exciting music that is wrapped within an individually derived conceptual framework? The answer is yes. All of that and more can be found in the playing and music of multi-woodwindist and composer Andrew Young.”
Saxophone Journal (USA)
“With incomparable stage presence, charisma and exception, Andrew Young and his band performed a show of superlatives. At the end of the concert the guests were spoiled with no less than five encores.”
Der Kurier (Austria)
“You have a real ability to play ballads with a soulfulness that is missing when so many others play ballads.”
Thomas Erdmann, Saxophone Journal (USA)
“Prince of the Saxophone”
South China Daily Mail (China)
“Andrew Young is one of the most prolific saxophonists ever to have performed in South Africa.”
PE Express (South Africa)
“Gig of the week.”
Daily Mail (UK)
MEDIA
