Andy McKee Quintet — live event
Whether you are talking about Andy McKee’s bass playing or his way of moving through life, three words say it – strength, passion and artistry. Having performed for twenty-five years with many jazz greats, his reputation stretches from his home base of New York, across the United States, to Europe and Japan. The deep resonance of Andy’s sound adds unmistakable dimension to every band he plays in. His impeccable time, musicianship and capacity for rhythmic invention were forged over years of in-the-trenches experience with many legendary jazz masters. Andy’s hard-swinging approach evolved naturally from his formative years on Philadelphia’s jazz scene. Musicians like Hank Mobley, Johnny Hartman, Slide Hampton, and Clarence “Cee”Sharp provided a nurturing environment for him and other young players. Philly Joe Jones, in particular, was an important mentor. “Philly was like my musical father. I was really just starting out when he said, ‘Come on. You’re with me’.” McKee adds, “We didn’t talk much about what we were playing; we just hung with the music. I learned through a sort of musical osmosis.” Of touring the US and Canada in 1979-1980, Andy says “Working side by side with Philly Joe was a unique and powerful opportunity to explore the language of jazz. And he brought such a personal sense of finesse and class to everything he did on and off the bandstand.” The next major influence in Andy’s musical development came in 1983 when he debuted with The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine at the Village Vanguard. Over the next decade, Andy played with the group for years at a time as staff bassist on tour in Europe, the Middle East and at home in New York City. “Elvin was a genius. It took a while for me to understand how to interact with the circular quality of his playing. It demanded total commitment to the downbeat. I gained great confidence when I realized that Elvin Jones wanted me to set him up. And when I got it, he turned and gave me that smile…”
Starts: 2024-03-23T19:00:43Z
Ends: 2024-03-23T21:00:43Z
Where: 275 Christian Avenue, Stony Brook, New York 11790, United States
Price: $30.0