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Andy Middleton
Austria, Vienna
Andy Middleton
Kalman Olah, György Organ & Andy MIddletonAM Sop 359_JnO_30_04_2023_fot_Slawek_Przerwa-6658andyMiddleton-8640andyMiddleton-8583andyMiddleton-8833

Andy Middleton

Vienna
Plays Today:
14
Total Plays:
58,400
Profile Views:
74,296
Subscribers:
766
Followers:
215

About Andy Middleton

1
ANDY MIDDLETON
Saxophonist, Composer, Educator
Mariahilferstrasse 1A, Apt. 34
1060 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: 0043.676.715.2077
Email: (expired link)
Website: (expired link)
“… an accomplished composer as well as a smart post-bop tenor saxophonist.”
The New York Times
“A saxophonist with patient poise on the slow ones and fierce resolve on the fast
ones.” The Village Voice (New York)
“… solos that demonstrate the absolute mastery of his saxophones, in emotional
and technical terms. Every note hits the mark, but also reveals the notable feature
of leadership, that nothing is done halfway.” All About Jazz Italy
“A musician’s musician, just like it says in books. The American living in Vienna
spins fascinating webs of improvisation with long, drawn-out and intense melodies
on the tenor saxophone that place him at the top of the international saxophone
scene. Great music.” Jazzthing (Germany)
___________________________________________________________
ANDY MIDDLETON is one of the very top-tier saxophonists and jazz
composers living in Europe today. “One of the strongest tenor and soprano
saxophonists on the scene,” says Randy Brecker, Andy Middleton is a skilled
improviser and composer whose breadth of expression ranges from fierce
power to tender warmth, from lyrical beauty to rhythmic drive, which
sounds contemporary and fresh while retaining a real sense of the
saxophone lineage. His compositions, harmonically modern and melodic
yet clearly rooted in the jazz tradition, provide the perfect setting. This
unique voice as a player, arranger and composer has led jazz icons such as
Ralph Towner, Kenny Wheeler and David Holland to collaborate with him.
He has also performed and recorded with a long list of artists including Billy
Hart, Maria Schneider, Richie Beirach, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Bob
Mintzer, Bill Evans, Lionel Hampton, Joey Calderazzo, John Abercrombie,
Steve Rodby, Scott Colley, Adam Nussbaum, John Hollenbeck, Piotr
Wylezoł, Piotr Wojtasik, and Fritz Pauer.
Born in Harrisburg, PA, Andy received his BA in jazz saxophone and MA in
composition at the University of Miami. After nearly 20 years in the New
York jazz scene, he relocated to Vienna, Austria in 2006, where he is
Professor of Jazz Composition, Jazz Arrangement and Jazz Saxophone at
the University for Music and Art of the City of Vienna.
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SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS A LEADER
- “Water and Sky”, Panorama Records, 2021
- “Double Bind”, w/Square One, Bandcamp, 2018
- “Three Hearts, Three Minds”, Alessa Records, ALR 1018, 2011
- “Between Worlds”, Prova Records, PR 1009-CD14, 2010
- “The European Quartet Live”, Qrious Music, QRM 100-2, 2007
- “Reinventing the World”, Intuition Music & Media 3310-2, 2003
featuring Kenny Wheeler
- “Nomad’s Notebook”, Intuition Music & Media 3264-2, 1999
featuring Ralph Towner and Dave Holland
- “Jazz Music Vol. X”, The Fensters, A Records, 1996
- “Terra Infirma”, Owl Records/EMI France 080-832998-2, 1995
featuring Renee Rosnes
- “Jazz Music Vol. 1”, The Fensters, Arta Records, 1992
- “Acid Rain”, Owl/Time Line 3819082, 1991
featuring Joey Calderazzo
MORE PRESS AND QUOTATIONS
“… an ace saxophonist, a generously skilled arranger and a socially dedicated
artist."
Timeout New York
“Andy Middleton himself is in a class of his own. It is a must to hear, see and
experience how he constructs, searches and propels his solos. I was reminded the
whole time of a Wayne Shorter concert - the same energy, uncompromising
playing and searching and bringing to light of the deepest and best in oneself.”
(expired link)
“Middleton is an individual who manages simultaneously to think, feel, produce,
teach, question, evolve, search and to be aware of it when he finds the thing that
he has been searching for. While listening to Andy one realizes how jazz can reach
a universal level as an art form, without getting lost in dull relationships with
popular and traditional music. And something else too - the necessity of the
soprano...Unbelievable tone and mastery!"
JAZZ (Turkey)
“One of the best things about being a record reviewer is when you come across a
CD by someone you've never heard of, which turns out to be so enjoyable that it
could even qualify for your year's best list. Thoroughly recommended.”
Jazzwise Magazine
3
“The European Quartet Live is an excellent album. The simplicity of that statement
matches the music on the recording. What makes all of the numbers stand out is
the wonderful work of Middleton, who is virtuosic in his tone, speed and concepts.
His standmates are nearly as good, but he is the real star.”
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Middleton is a resourceful player and a skilled writer and arranger for the octet,
with a liking for rich, lush harmonies and radiant voicings. It lacks a little bit of
devilishness for these ears, but it can’t be faulted when it comes to classy execution
and musicianship.
Jazzwise Magazine
“…. his playing is consummate. Middleton’s lines are thoughtful and symmetrical.
There’s pattern to his improvisation, and grace, so that following his solos is less
likely to occasion surprise than satisfaction. This is a solid outing by four master
musicians.” Cadence
"There is one soloist who truly stands apart from the rest of the crowd, and that is
Andy Middleton.” Saxophone Journal
“Serendipitous, how a musician continues to grow. The European Quartet Live
presents an Andy Middleton in top form, playing with his superb accompanists
through a brilliant set balanced between lyrical melodic serenity and exciting
freestyle excursions that is a true joy for a jazz fan. Excellent.”
(expired link)
“Andy Middleton is a modern jazz saxophonist who has warm and original tones
on tenor and soprano. Although the music may be relaxed, plenty of sparks fly
from Middleton's tenor (which sometimes hints a little at Joe Lovano or Michael
Brecker) and his fluent soprano.”
(expired link)
“Middleton shows signs of being more than "just any" improviser. Middleton ...
writes in a broadly euphonious harmonic language, with a natural tunefulness that
engages the ear with exotic airs, but never strays too far from home.”
Jazz Times (USA)
“Andy Middleton affirms himself not only as a saxophone player but as a first class
composer and arranger.” JAZZ Magazine, (France)
MUSICIAN QUOTES ABOUT ANDY MIDDLETON
DAVID LIEBMAN: “Andy Middleton represents the best of a new
generation of jazz musicians.”
MICHAEL BRECKER: “Here is the sax player with the courage to pursue his
own voice. Here is improvising and writing in its best form - really pretty
amazing!”
4
JOHN ABERCROMBIE: “Totally contemporary playing and writing with a
real sense of the jazz tradition. Excellent!”
RANDY BRECKER: “Andy Middleton is one of the strongest tenor and
soprano saxophonists on the scene. Check him out!”
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS A SIDEMAN
- Leszek Kulakowski Quintet - “Copy & Insert”, Soliton, 2017
- John B. Williams - “Enchantment”, Alessa Records, 2017
- John B. Williams - “African Queen”, Alessa Records, 2014
- Piotr Wojtasik - “Old Land”, SO Jazz Records, 2013
- Owen Howard - “Drum Lore”, BJU Records, 2010
- Sparkle + Andy Middleton – “Playing Tricks”, ZeroZero Jazz, 2010
- Klemens Marktl/Flip Philip Sextet – “Open Sea”, ATS Records, 2010
- Ron van Stratum – “Swingin’ in the Swamp”, Mons Records, 2010
- Sparkle + Andy Middleton – “Playing Tricks”, Zero Zero Jazz, 2010
- Fritz Pauer Quintet - “Live in Porgy & Bess” - Pauer Music, 2008
- Maria Schneider Orchestra - “Concert in the Garden”, ArtistShare, 2004
- The NewYorkestra – “Urban Soundscapes”, Seabreeze Records, 2005
- Lionel Hampton - “Cookin’ in the Kitchen”, Gladhamp Records, 1990
- Ron van Stratum - “Plain View”, VIA Records, 1999
- Jens Wendelboe - “Energy Band, Vol. 2”, Nopa Records, 1992
- Randy Bernsen - “Mo’ Wasabi”, Zebra/MCA Records, 1986
AWARDS
- First Prize, Best Soloist, Best Arranger - 13th Europ’ Jazz Contest, Belgium
(1991)
- Outstanding Jazz Soloist - Down Beat Magazine (1987)
GRANTS
- Bundeskanzleramt Austria Film Composition Grant (2014)
- Chamber Music America’s New Works: Creation and Presentation Grant
Program/ Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project (2004)
- National Endowment for the Arts Performance Grant (1996)
- Fund for US Artists at International Festivals (1992, 1993, 2003)
- Arts International (2005)
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) fiscal sponsorship (2006 – 2009)
- Brooklyn Arts Council performance grant (2006)

Plays Today: 14

Total Plays: 58,400

Profile Views: 74,296

Subscribers: 766

Followers: 215

Andy middleton has no Merchandise yet.

Past Events

Sat

Feb 11

8:30 PM

All Ages
Porgy & Bess

Austria, Vienna, Riemergasse 11 , 1010

Fri

Jun 30

9:00 PM

All Ages
Jazzland

Austria, Vienna, Franz Josefs-kai 29, 1010

Sat

Jul 01

9:00 PM

All Ages
Jazzland

Austria, Vienna, Franz Josefs-kai 29, 1010

Sat

Feb 17

8:30 PM

All Ages
Porgy & Bess

Austria, Vienna, Riemergasse 11, 1010

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