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Andy Firth - Biography

Updated 04/04/2008

Andy Firth is not only one of the finest clarinet and saxophone players on the music scene today, but he is also a gifted composer and a dedicated educator. Wherever he performs, he leaves critics and fellow players gasping in awe of his ability to either dazzle with his blindingly fast, fluent technique or his soulful, beautiful tone. In short, a musician of extraordinary technique and finesse.

March 19th 2008.
The Australian Consulate General in New York honours Andy Firth with a reception and invitation to perform for select VIP guests.

March 21st 2008.
Andy Firth performs a history-making concert at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall with living Jazz legend Buddy DeFranco. The concert is reviewed as “…A landmark Jazz performance took place with previously unknown Australian Clarinetist Andy Firth, who in a cheerfully informal way shocked and awed the audience with virtuosity found in players like Eddie Daniels. Similar in virtuosity although different in style, his letup never quit during this concert, and as Buddy DeFranco said later on, Firth can do impossible things.” (Mike Getzen, WKA).

May 2007.
Andy appeared as a guest soloist at the “Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival “with jazz clarinet legend, Buddy DeFranco and the Montana University big band.

August 2006.
Andy received rave reviews for his performances during his trip to Atlanta USA to perform as guest artist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Andy also gave master classes in jazz improvisation at the conference and received five standing ovations during his performance with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Andy also met up with clarinet giants, Buddy DeFranco, Eddie Daniels, Ron Odrich and Vincent "Jimmy" Abato on this trip, all of who congratulated him for his sensational performances. Andy then headed off to Springfield, Missouri to play on TV (NBC) and was invited to perform "God Bless America" to open a "Springfield Cardinals" baseball game at Hamon's Field Stadium and then perform a live concert for the Phelps Society. A recording has now been released of this concert - "Andy Firth Live In Swingfield"

"I have never heard anything like this guy; he is a one in a million! His musicality and playing is totally unique! Andy Firth is, in my opinion, one of our greatest artists and musicians like him pass this way but once. I am thrilled to have met and heard him perform!"

Vincent J. Abato (Revered U.S reeds virtuoso & teacher. 14th August 2006, USA.)

Andy has also formed Australia's first saxophone big band, "Sax to the max!" which is comprised of his most gifted private saxophone and clarinet students. Andy has also been working with ace specialist big band arranger and transcriber Myles Collins who has recently re-located to Australia and is also now a member of "Sax to the max!" Andy was also commissioned to compose a new work for the Australian International flute conference which was performed by celebrated flautist Janet Webb.

April 2006.
Andy was honoured with a coveted AUSTRALIAN MO AWARD for "BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTALIST". The award ceremony was held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on April 28th, 2006 and was presented to Andy by Maestro Tommy Tycho and Geoff Harvey. Photo of Andy and Maestro Tommy Tycho at the 30th Australian MO AWARDS. In early 2006 Andy appeared as associate artist with his mentor, Maestro Tommy Tycho and stage legend Anthony Warlow at Wydham Estate to a sell-out house and rave reviews.

2005.
Andy featured with Tommy Tycho's Big Band for "Best of Taronga Zoo Twilight Concerts" alongside of Jackie Love & Larry Stellar. Andy also appeared as associate artist with Anthony Warlow and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Tommy Tycho, as well as headlining act for the Melbourne Single Reeds Festival and the Wollongong Jazz Festival.

Andy is committed to the ideals and standards of musical excellence set by his mentor, Maestro Tommy Tycho.

'I like people to know that whether it’s a big band or small group that I’ll do whatever I can to give them a world class show!. I want my name to be associated with musical excellence and mind-blowing performances'.

Andy Firth.

September 2002.
Andy performed the Artie Shaw “Concerto for Clarinet” with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as well as appearing as a guest performer at the prestigious Australian Music Association Convention at Jupiter's Casino on the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia.

Currently, Andy is studying the orchestration techniques of Maestro Tommy Tycho and forming Australia's first saxophone big band, "SAX TO THE MAX!" as well as tutoring privately in clarinet, saxophone and jazz theory in the Newcastle area to select students.

Andy continues to work with Australian show biz names such as Maestro Tommy Tycho, Julie Anthony, Anthony Warlow, Rob Guest, Jackie Love, Kevin Hunt Trio, Ed Wilson, Rob Guest, Johnny Nicol, George Golla, Galapagos Duck, Bob Barnard and Australia’s major symphony orchestras.

March 2001.
Andy was guest performer with Gregory Smith (associate professor of clarinet, Roosevelt University. USA) for Sydney’s ClariFest.

July 2000
Andy was a guest adjudicator at the Queensland Fanfare Festival where he also conducted clarinet & saxophone master classes for Boosey & Hawkes.

July 2000
Andy was a guest artist at the international clarinet festival in Oklahoma, USA. Again he received rave reviews and standing ovations for his concert appearances.

US mouthpiece manufacturer Lomax mouthpieces has honoured Andy with his own model of their famous clarinet mouthpiece. “The Andy Firth Jazz Model” was released at the International Clarinet Conference 2000 and has become one of the biggest selling models for the Lomax range.

Andy received rave reviews for his performances of Artie Shaw’s “Concerto for Clarinet” with the Queensland regional youth orchestra under the direction of Maestro Tommy Tycho at the Brisbane Energex Festival 2000. This performance was repeated with the Griffith University Orchestra under the direction of Simone De Haan.

In 2000 Andy releases a “World First” - 16 Clarinet Big Band CD, which to date, enjoys regular airplay on ABC FM classical and jazz programming.

Andy has gained a rapidly growing reputation as a composer. Two lively, latin inspired pieces,“Treacherous Tango” and “Tycho, Tycho, Tycho” (pron:teeko) written for Janet Webb- (principal flautist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) were recently released on her debut CD “Tango & all that Jazz”.

Andy has completed a “Cuban Fantasy”for flute and piano (for Janet Webb), a series of clarinet and saxophone books, a book of jazz duets for clarinet, (for Boosey & Hawkes) and a“Duo Fantasia Concertante”-for two clarinets & piano. (dedicated to his wife Liz).

1999
Andy receives standing ovations for his performances at the ClarinetFest at the University of Oklahoma.

US saxophone master and composer Victor Morosco has also composed a septet for Andy called the "Fourths of Firth".

Andy maintains a philosophy that compels him to contribute as much as possible to the education of future musicians. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Diploma of Education, has lectured in public/private schools as well as universities both in Australia and overseas. Andy believes that music is a universal language and as such should have no barriers or limits - everyone should have the chance to enjoy the uniting qualities of music.

1995
Saw Andy Firth's reputation as arguably the most naturally gifted player since Benny Goodman, further enhanced by sensational performances in Germany, England, and the prestigious North Sea Festival in Holland. Andy was also a guest performer along with Diana Krall, Phil Nimmons and Ed Soph at Canada’s MusicFest in 1998 where he received standing ovations for his performances of Benny Goodman’s classic hit “Sing, Sing, Sing”. An exceptional talent, Andy is equally at ease playing Mozart as swinging like a veteran jazz musician. At the drop of a hat Andy is able to switch to almost any musical style or setting.

Andy has performed with such jazz and blues legends as B.B. King, Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Steve Haughton, Tommy Banks, Steve Harlos, Kenny Ball Jazz Band, Galapagos Duck, Bud Shank and James Moody, Maestro Tommy Tycho, Anthony Warlow, Tommy Emmanuel, Bob Barnard, Don Burrows, The North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, James & John Morrison, Jackie Love, Rob Guest, Julie Anthony to name but a few. Andy has also performed with symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles as both a member and soloist.

Andy stole the show at the World Clarinet Summit in Japan during 1993, alongside clarinet virtuosi John Denman (U. K.) and Japan's Eiji Kitamura.

Down load Full Resume

Andy Firth has released / featured on the following CDs:

• 1993. 'Fresh Starts'.
• 1993. 'Let There Be Firth'.
• 1995. 'Colours'.
• 1997. 'Swingin' Upstairs', produced by John Morrison.
• 1998. 'The Heat's On', with Brisbane State High Big Band.
• 1998. 'Live at York'.
• 2000.'Me, Myself & I - 16 Clarinet Big Band'.

Andy is also pleased to announce the release of his most ambitious project to date, 'SAX TO THE MAX!' - a saxophone big band CD, where the listener is once again reminded of the magic of multi-track recording techniques. On this CD Andy has played, arranged, orchestrated, recorded, mixed and produced this entire CD.

From the critics and players.

'A genius of the clarinet'
Maestro Tommy Tycho A.M., M.B.E.
Conductor, arranger, pianist