Saxophonist Vandell Andrew Performs at the Branford Green

From the City of Branford:

All it took was an issued challenge from a summer music teacher to influence one of the world’s biggest billboard jazz musicians to a path of nationwide notoriety. Now former trumpet player turned saxophonist Vandell Andrew graces the Branford Town Green as part of the Branford Jazz Series on Thursday, July 28th, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Hailing from the “Birthplace of Jazz” in New Orleans, Vandell’ s path to instrumental success started at the age of 13 at a local jazz summer camp in the Treme’ area of New Orleans where he was introduced to the trumpet. After an entire summer of trumpet playing, he was approached by one of his teacher’s to try the saxophone as well. Listening to his educators every word, Vandell too this challenge as a compliment and the rest as they “is history”.

Soon after cultivating his craft on the alto saxophone, he joined the world renowned St. Augustine “Marching 100” Marching Band. This experience allowed Vandell the opportunities of performing in numerous events and parades all over the world as a member of the prestigious marching band, which would ultimately convince him that performing and playing music was his chosen profession after graduating from high school.

Shortly after graduation, Vandell enrolled in classes at Southern University at New Orleans, and studied with the legendary Edward “Kidd” Jordan. After a month of studying with Kidd, the catastrophic devastation of Hurricane Katrina took the city of New Orleans by storm. At the age of 18, Vandell realized early on that he wanted to seriously pursue a career in music and began to write original compositions. In just a few short years, this decision has led him to him sharing the stage with a vast array of artists from multiple genres of music and at venues across the United States and Europe. He has also opened and shared the stage with several internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, including Grammy award winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and the legendary smooth jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton.

In June of 2011, Vandell released his debut album entitled “Years Later”, an album comprised of original compositions that has been written since he relocated to Texas following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in his hometown of New Orleans. The “Years Later” album, to date, has been getting rave reviews from smooth jazz fans, music lovers and critics across the world. With the success of “Years Later” , Vandell decided to release an up-tempo 5 song EP called “Turn It Up”. Since its release, the leading single “Let’s Ride” has reached #1 on the Billboard Charts and has also been nominated for a 2014 Soul Train Award for “Best Contemporary Jazz Performance”. Joining Vandell on stage in Branford will be Heyward Matthews on piano, Kenji Tokunaga on bass, and Alex Durant on drums.

“ I am extremely honored to perform in the 2016 Branford Jazz Series,” said Vandell.

Image via the City of Branford