Andy Herrmann, Piano, Main Program

Beside his activities as a piano instructor at the International Music College Freiburg (since 2004), Andy Herrmann is a much-in-demand pianist, composer, arranger and teacher.

Biography:

Born June 28, 1965

At five years of age, he improvised for the first time at the piano. At 12, he played guitar, and then later piano in various rock and jazz bands.

1985 Prize winner at the “Landeswettbewerb Jugend Jazz” in Baden Württemberg

1986-1990 Piano study at the Swiss Jazz School in Bern with Joe Haider.

1988 Semifinalist in the renowned international “Thelonious Monk” piano contest
in Washington D.C. (USA)

Since 1990 Concert activities with musicians from the international jazz scene: among others, Benny Golson (ts), Jiggs Whigham (trom), Reggie Johnson (b), Andy Scherrer (ts), Jimmy Woode (b), Julio Barretto (dr), Dave Liebman (ss), Adrian Mears (trom), Joseph Bowie (trom), Robin Kenyatta (ts), Bill Ramsey (voc), Sandy Patton (voc), Bart van Lier (trom), John Schröder (dr), Harald Haerter (g), Gary Barone (tp), Greg Badolato (ts), Larry Monroe (as), Heiri Känzig (b), Dave Doran (dr), Silvia Droste (voc), Norbert Pfammatter (dr), Tibor Elekes (b), Henning Sieverts (b), Matthias Daneck (dr), Jochen Feucht (ts), Domenique Landolf (ts), Sue Mathis (voc)

1990-1999 Pianist in the quartet of the American jazz saxophonist Robin Kenyatta, (with Reggie Johnson on bass). Countless concerts in Switzerland, Germany, France and England.

1992-1995 Keyboard player in the jazz/funk group “Dave Dorans Jazz-Rap,” led by the Irish drummer Dave Doran

1993-1996 Keyboard player in the pop group “Head To Toe,” led by the Zurich saxophonist Philippe Mall

1995-2000 Studied composition/music theory with Prof. Cornelius Schwer at the State Conservatory of Music in Freiburg.

2001 Musical director, arranger, composer and pianist for the musical “Lila Rosen” in Zürich with singer and actress Sue Mathis

Since 2003 Pianist in the quartet of the American jazz trumpeter Gary Barone

Since 2003 Pianist and bandleader of the Andy Herrmann Trio

Since 2004 Pianist in singer Andrea Mayer quartet “A tribute to Ella Fitzgerald”

2003-2004 Lecturer of harmony, counterpoint and ear training in the Luzern Music Conservatory jazz department

2004-2005 Department head of the music theory/composition department at the Luzern Music Conservatory

Selected Discography

•Hessen Youth Jazz Orchester: “Kicks And Sticks” (1990)
•Head To Toe: “Rhythm Is Live” (1993)
•The Intergalactic Maidenballet: “Golf” (1994)
•Gary Barone: “Open Fields” (1998)
•Patrick Manzecchi: “Ready And Able” (2000)
•Sue Mathy’s: “Lila Rosen” (2001)
•Andy Herrmann Trio: “Circle” (2004)
•Andrea Mayer Quartett: “A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald” (2005)

Press reviews of the Andy Herrmann Trio

“First-class lyrically-threaded jazz. Precisely-worked out own compositions, with sensitively- formulated poetic motifs, especially in Herrmann’s solo improvisation and in his distinct, transparent sound.” Schwäbische Zeitung

“With racing, bubbling motion, Herrmann works his way along the chords – the surety is astonishing with which he finds the right harmony – and it is amazing how that produces rich swing and excitement.
All is very straight and without flourishes. However, there is room left over for manifold references, from Renaissance music to Chopin (“Valse”), or from a romping adaption of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” to funk (“In The Seventies”), and to a sublime handling of chromaticism (“Tune X”). This is music that is without tiring experimentation, but at the same time has roots and is original.” Süddeutsche Zeitung

The trio is successful in uniting contrasts: the music is loaded with energy, but always relaxed – it is modern and independent, but it is state of the art. The interplay between Henning Sieverts (Bass) and Matthias Daneck (Drums) exhibits sleep-walking surety and empathy, without being academic. The solos build idea-rich arches. The pieces, all composed by Herrmann, are expressive and tasteful.” Jazzthing

Email contact: Andy Herrmann

Andy Herrmann’s Website