Ryan Andrews

Requiem Ryan Andrews

Ryan Andrews is a multi-talented instrumentalist, composer and arranger from Kalamazoo, MI. About to graduate with degrees in Jazz Studies and Spanish from Western Michigan University where he studies with Keith Hall, Judy Moonert and Billy Hart, Ryan has performed and excelled in a diverse array of musical styles--a sample being straight-ahead jazz, funk, latin, rock, and hip-hop. While still in high school, he won a Downbeat Student award with his jazz/fusion trio Nexus. At Western, he was a three-year member of the internationally acclaimed Gold Company vocal jazz ensemble, and with them he has made appearances in Carnegie Hall, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, and the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) Convention in New York and Toronto. Last summer, he was the drummer for the World Youth Choir in Hong Kong, which included a performance at the 2008 Olympics opening ceremonies. While at Western, Ryan has won Downbeat Student Awards in both jazz and blues/pop/rock categories. Besides his three releases with Nexus, Ryan has made a duo record with Indian percussion phenom Rohan Krishnamurthy and has appeared on the recent Tom Knific release, 'Lines of Influence' on the Naxos label. Most recently he has been touring with the Gradus Quartet, a contemporary jazz group as well as gigging with the popular local pop/rock/funk band Compendium. Others Ryan has worked with and studied with include Stefon Harris, Billy Drewes, Jamey Haddad, Janis Siegel, Fred Hersch, Greg Jasperse, Ari Hoenig, Darmon Meader and Edu Ribeiro. His solo debut, 'Requiem' (released 2009) represents the coming together of Ryan's eclectic musical experiences and influences. Featuring a diverse mixture of ensembles playing all original music, it's hard to stick this album into any one category. From progressive rock to acoustic ballads to jazz and hip-hop influenced pop, 'Requiem' is full of surprises and makes for an interesting and enjoyable listen.