Andy Narell

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Andy Narell (2009)

Andy Narell (born March 18, 1954 in New York City ) is an American jazz musician (pianist, drummer, band leader). He introduced the steel pan to jazz.

Life

Narell grew up in New York and came to the steel drums, inspired by his father, who ran a social program for street children there and organized a Caribbean project. As a youth he deepened his knowledge autodidactically ; later he also took lessons. In 1966 he met the instrument maker Elliot Mannette on a trip to Trinidad , where he took lessons. This was invited to New York by Narell's father.

Andy Narell studied piano at the University of California, Berkeley and graduated in 1973. He appeared from 1984 with the quintet of Darol Anger and Barbara Higbie ( Montreux ) and was also involved in the albums of this band until 1987. After trying to play fusion jazz with steel bands , he founded both his first band and his own production company Hip Pocket in 1978 , which released his debut album in 1980; there he played steel pan. In 1995 he became head of the Caribbean Jazz Project alongside Paquito D'Rivera and Dave Samuels , with which he toured the USA, Europe and the Caribbean. He also worked as a composer and wrote music for the Panorama in Trinidad and soundtracks for films. He also worked on recordings for Manhattan Transfer and the Pointer Sisters as well as Aretha Franklin , Narada Michael Walden , Bruce Forman , John Patitucci , Jimmy Haslip , Marcus Miller , Richie Cole , Toto , the Flecktones and Steve Erquiaga.

In 1999 Narell performed in front of more than 60,000 visitors at an open air concert by the Andy Narell Jazz Club in Johannesburg , South Africa . In 2000 he embarked on an extensive tour of South Africa, performing with local musicians such as guitarist Louis Mhlanga, keyboardist Andile Yenana , drummer Rob Watson and percussionist Basi Mahlasela.

Andy Narell is considered the most famous steelpan player in the world. He lives and works in Paris .

Discography

Solo / with guest musicians and groups

  • Hidden Treasure (1979)
  • Stickman ( Windham Hill Records , 1981)
  • Light in Your Eyes (Windham Hill Records, 1983)
  • Slow Motion (Windham Hill Records, 1985)
  • The Hammer (Windham Hill Records, 1987)
  • Little Secrets (Windham Hill Records, 1989)
  • Down the Road (Windham Hill Records, 1992)
  • The Long Time Band (Windham Hill Records, 1995)
  • Behind the Bridge (Heads Up, 1998)
  • Fire in the Engine Room (Heads Up, 2000)
  • Live in South Africa (Heads Up, 2001)
  • The Passage (Heads Up, 2004)
  • Tatoom (Heads Up, 2007)
  • University of Calypso (2009)

With the Caribbean Jazz Project

  • The Caribbean Jazz Project (Heads Up, 1995)
  • Island Stories (Heads Up, 1997)

With Sakésho

  • Sakésho (Heads Up, 2002)
  • We Want You to Say ... (Heads Up, 2005)

Lexical entry

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Narell, Andy
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz musician (pianist, drummer, band leader)
DATE OF BIRTH March 18, 1954
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City