Andy Firth - Performances

Last update: April 2008

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'Andy Firth is a joy to hear. He is a virtuoso that goes beyond virtuosity. The joy and enthusiasm in his playing and teaching reminds us all of why art exists, and why as musicians, we wanted to play music in the first place.'

Victor Morosco, woodwind master & composer.

Andy Firth started his performance career at the age of 14 when he appeared around South Australia featuring in small groups and big bands. By 17 Andy had moved to Adelaide and co-founded his first band The BBC Trio and later the BBC Quartet, Andy Firth’s reputation as one of Australia’s most outstanding jazz talents was further endorsed with his appearances on ABC, channel 7,9 and 10 television shows, The Burrows Collection, Sunday, Hey, Hey it’s Saturday, Clive Robertson’s News World and The Midday Show with Ray Martin.

Today, Andy Firth is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding clarinet players in the world, having played internationally with some of the greatest performers, bands and orchestras in both classical and jazz music. His mastery of the clarinet and saxophone, unrivalled expression of tone and technique, and endless devotion and enthusiasm to the music that he plays has earned Andy a reputation as a performer not to be missed.

As a solo performer alone, he has worked with such notable musicians and groups as: B.B. King, Diana Krall, Buddy DeFranco, Anthony Warlow, Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball Jazz band, Andy Cooper, The North Texas Big Band, Bud Shank, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Maestro Tommy Tycho, Tommy Emmanuel, Bob Barnard, Don Burrows, Ricky May, Daryl Somers, Rolf Harris, John Foreman, George Golla, Julian Lee, Ed Wilson, and many others. Andy has also performed with many of the major Australian symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles as a soloist.

Andy Firth continues to tour and perform with Australia’s leading jazz and classical artists and ensembles. He is also a regular guest performer at National and International clarinet and saxophone conferences.

Andy Firth in concert with Monique diMattina (piano) at the Australian Consulate General building in New York.
March 19th 2008.

Andy Firth - Performances

Some of Andy’s major performance accomplishments include:

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 performed a “history-making” concert at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall with living Jazz legend Buddy DeFranco.
2007 Andy Firth was guest artist with US living jazz legend, Buddy DeFranco with University of Montana Big Band at the "Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival" at the University of Montana.
2006 Andy Firth performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Saturday the 12th August 2006 in front of 70 of the world's finest clarinet players and teachers including Buddy De Franco, Eddie Daniels and Ron Odrich. Famed Australian Maestro Tommy Tycho did the orchestrations for Andy Firth’s performance and Andy received standing ovations after only his first item with the orchestra and then several more during his performances! During this tour of the USA, legendary clarinet and saxophone player and teacher Vincent "Jimmy" Abato was quoted as having said of Andy Firth;

"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 (Vincent Abato. Revered U.S reeds performer & teacher. 14th August 2006, Orlando Florida.)

Andy Firth appeared as guest soloist with Marina Prior in September for Marina's live show with Maestro Tommy Tycho and the Queensland Orchestra.
2006. Andy Firth appeared as guest soloist with Anthony Warlow and Maestro Tommy Tycho at Wyndham Estate.
2006. Andy Firth appeared a soloist at the Australian Clarinet Festival with Paul Dean.
2005. Andy Firth was soloist with the Tommy Tycho big band for the Taronga Twilight Concert series.
2005. Andy Firth appeared as associate artist with Anthony Warlow & Maestro Tommy Tycho with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
2004. Andy Firth appeared as main act for the Morpeth Jazz Festival, NSW, Australia.
August 2003. Andy Firth appeared as guest soloist with Anthony Warlow & Maestro Tommy Tycho for concert series.
April 2003. Andy Firth was musical director and featured soloist for sell out performance of “Goodman & Beyond”-A tribute to Benny Goodman.
September 2002. Andy Firth appeared at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as soloist.
2001. Andy Firth appeared as guest soloist with Maestro Tommy Tycho and his orchestra for the Premier’s Concert Series.
2001. Andy Firth appeared as guest artist and clinician with Greg Smith, the principal clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
2000. Andy Firth was clarinet soloist with the Sydney Concert Orchestra for the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, KV 622.
2000. Andy Firth performed the Artie Shaw Concerto for Clarinet with the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra under the direction of Professor Simone De Haan.

Andy Firth - Performances

2000. Andy Firth was guest soloist at the International Clarinet Conference, USA.
2000. Andy Firth appeared as guest soloist at the Queensland Energex Festival with Maestro Tommy Tycho.
1999, 2000 and 2003. Andy Firth was soloist for Rico International at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, USA.
1999. Andy Firth presented jazz concert with the North Texas State Jazz faculty band, University of Oklahoma, USA.
1999. Andy Firth was chosen as a Jazz Mentor for Jazz Train that toured Queensland performing and teaching students in the regional areas.
1998. Andy Firth was solo artist for Boosey & Hawkes representing Australia at the National Music Festival, Canada.
1998. Andy Firth performed as both a jazz and classical soloist with the Pacific Wind Ensemble under the direction of David Branter, Canada.
1998. Andy Firth was a guest performer alongside Diana Krall, Phil Nimmons and Ed Soph at MusicFest Canada, where Andy received standing ovations for his version of Benny Goodman’s classic hit “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
1998. Andy Firth featured as clarinet soloist and lead alto saxophone with the All Star Big Band, featuring Diana Krall, Tommy Banks and Steve Haughton, Canada and USA.
1997. Andy Firth performed on the ABC television feature Jazz As Now and ABC Radio’s The Geraldine Doouge Show.

Andy Firth - Performances

Between 1984-2000.Andy appeared on numerous television programs including Good Morning Australia, Sunday, Hey, Hey it’s Saturday! ,Jazz is now, AM with Ann Wills, Statewide and The Burrows Collection.
1995. Andy Firth toured Germany and Holland with the great jazz trumpeter Bob Barnard where Andy performed as a featured soloist with The Bob Barnard Band in Bonn, Freiburg, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Chamonix and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
1995. Andy Firth toured England with the Kenny Ball Band and Acker Bilk Band as a guest soloist.
1995. Andy Firth appeared with US saxophone artist Bud Shank at London’s famed Pizza Express jazz club.
1995. Andy Firth appeared as a guest performer with bassist Alex Dankworth and his trio at the Pizza on the Park jazz venue in Knightsbridge, London.
1995. Andy Firth performed a Tribute to Benny Goodman tour of Japan by invitation of the World Projects organization.
1995. Represented Australia in at the World Clarinet Summit, Japan.
1995. Andy Firth appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival with the Goodbye Dizzy Tribute Band led by US trumpeter Chuck Findley.
1995. Andy Firth appeared with James Moody and Randy Brecker as the headlining artists of the Sanctuary Cove Jazz Festival, Queensland.
1993. Andy Firth performed with John Denman (UK) and Eiji Kitamura (Japan) at the World Clarinet Summit, Japan.

1992. Andy Firth appeared as soloist with popular Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and the Sydney Youth Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.
1991. Andy Firth toured Australia as a support artist with B.B.King and the Philip Morris SuperBand.
1991. Andy Firth performed Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet with the Sydney Youth Orchestra for ABC Radio.
1988. Andy Firth toured as support artist for Wynton Marsalis during his Australian tour.
1988. Andy Firth appeared as soloist with Maestro Tommy Tycho and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
1987. Andy Firth performed a duet with Don Burrows in the second movement of The Burrows Suite, Festival Theatre, Adelaide.
1987. Andy Firth was principal clarinet and alto saxophone with the South Australian College of Arts & Education Concert Band.
1987. Andy Firth was Invited to tour Papua New Guinea as a Cultural Ambassador for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and the Musica Viva organization. This tour included a series of concerts to introduce traditional Papua New Guinean performers to jazz music. This marked a series of follow-up visits by other Australian artists which has nurtured jazz music in Papua New Guinean schools and colleges, particularly the highly regarded National Arts School in Port Moresby. While on tour, Andy was also invited to play a jazz concert for the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Honourable Pius Wingtii.
1986. Andy Firth performed a tribute show to jazz legend Charlie Parker with the American jazz artist Lee Konitz in Adelaide, South Australia.
1986. Andy Firth was invited to perform as soloist with UK trombonist and bandleader Don Lusher in a tribute to the great swing bands of the 1940’s, Adelaide Festival Theatre.
1985. Andy Firth was invited as a soloist on both the clarinet and baritone saxophone with the Dutch Swing College Band during the Adelaide performances of their Australian tour.

Andy Firth - Performances