Description

Duane Andrews is one of Canada’s most exciting and gifted musicians. Fusing the traditional music of Newfoundland with gypsy jazz styling, Duane has created a hybrid of the two genres effectively creating a new style of traditional jazz that has gained him serious national and international praise, both popularly and critically. He has gained numerous awards for his outstanding body of work including the 2011 Independent Music award for Instrumental Album, the 2011 East Coast music Award for Instrumental Album of the Year, the 2010 Music NL and Music Nova Scotia Award for Best Instrumental and jazz album respectively, 4 2008 Music NL awards including Best Album, Male Artist of the Year and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and a whole host of nominations from the East Coast Music Association, Independent Music Awards, USA Songwriting Competition and the Canadian Folk Music Awards. His highly acclaimed third release, Raindrops, highlights Duane’s strengths as a producer and arranger. He thickens and builds upon the sound on the record significantly by marrying the gusto and nuance of his go to band, Steve Hussey on unwavering rhythm guitar, Patrick Boyle with his sublime and effortless trumpet, Dave Rowe on upright bass and Bill Brennan on vibes with the beauty and elegance of the Atlantic String Quartet. The result is a stunning union of world class musicians from two differing musical backgrounds. Five of the album tracks are original compositions of Duane’s and they are seamlessly intermingled with classics by Django Reinhardt, Charles Mingus and two legendary Newfoundland fiddlers, Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit. A seemingly odd pairing of tunes is, here, perfectly matched and meticulously arranged to the near point of perfection. The quartet elevates an already impressive sound with beautifully expressive string arrangements and the core band is firing on all cylinders. The music is joyful, animated and lyrical. Duane is an accomplished guitarist and the interplay between he and Pat Boyle (Trumpet) is the strength at the epicenter of the tunes. Raindrops serves to expose Duane as a vital and visionary musician on an international level. He has, in a relatively short time he has proven to be one of our most important and creative musical exports. Raindrops is a must have for traditional, folk and jazz fans alike. Django would most definitely approve.