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Andy Firth

Andy Firth started his performance career at the age of 14 when he appeared around South Australia featuring in small groups and big bands. By 17 Andy had moved to Adelaide and co-founded his first band The BBC Trio and later the BBC Quartet, Andy Firth’s reputation as one of Australia’s most outstanding jazz talents was further endorsed with his appearances on ABC, channel 7,9 and 10 television shows, The Burrows Collection, Sunday, Hey, Hey it’s Saturday, Clive Robertson’s News World and The Midday Show with Ray Martin.

Today, Andy Firth is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding clarinet players in the world, having played internationally with some of the greatest performers, bands and orchestras in both classical and jazz music. His mastery of the clarinet and saxophone, unrivalled expression of tone and technique, and endless devotion and enthusiasm to the music that he plays has earned Andy a reputation as a performer not to be missed.

Andy Firth has performed with some of the world’s finest musicians: Buddy DeFranco, Ingrid Jensen, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis-(associate guest artist) B.B. king-(associate guest artist), Lee Konitz, Gary Motley, Jay Hungerford, Ken Kehner, Joe Berger, Bud Shank, James Moody, Don Lusher, Steve Harlos, Steve Haughton, The Dutch Swing College Band, Kenny Ball and his jazz men and Acker Bilk.

Australian artists include: Maestro Tommy Tycho, Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior, Julie Anthony, Don Burrows, Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, George Golla, James Muller, Ray Alderidge, Julian Lee, Kevin Hunt & Galapagos DuckTony Gould Trio, Jackie Love, Little Pattie, Bob Barnard, Ian Date, Graeme Bell, Tom Baker, Ed Wilson, Vince Jones, Jonathan Wade, Peter Hooper, James Clark, Nic Cecire, Terence Koo, Andrew Wallace, Nick Sinclair, Jamie Jones, Anita Wardel, The Society Syncopators, Larry Stellar, Rob Guest, Mike Nelson, John Foreman, Jonathan Wade, and many more. Andy also worked with the late great Ricky May, and Bobby Limb.

Andy Firth has also worked with many of Australia’s major symphony orchestras as a jazz and classical soloist where the great Australian Maestro, Tommy Tycho, often features him as soloist in his musical arrangements. In April 2006 Andy Firth was honoured with an Australian MO AWARD for "Best Jazz Instrumentalist". Andy has taught and inspired a number of clarinet and saxophone players that have continued their career’s in music, namely, Mark Pradella, Adrian Cunningham, Zachary Donoghue, Michaela Mepham, Nick Jeffries and Duncan Hemstock to name but a few. Andy also gave jazz clarinet lessons to US Jazz legend, James Moody on occasion when James was on tour in Australia in the 1990’s.

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“Andy Firth is the first clarinettist in 30 years or so, since Eddie Daniels, that I have really paid attention to…what he can do on the clarinet, I consider to be impossible-yes, true! The thing is, Andy doesn’t know this…and I’m not gonna tell him”.

Buddy DeFranco (US Living jazz clarinet legend). 21st March, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall as Andy’s guest artist for Andy’s “Goodman & Beyond” debut concert at Carnegie Hall. New York.

“'Once in a blue moon along comes an artist whose talent, musicianship and expertise is awesome. Such a man is Andy Firth, whose reputation as a brilliant performer is Australia wide and acknowledged Internationally as well. He is a sought-after wonderful teacher, a lecturer of “good music” and a fine composer. I am privileged to be associated with him and also call him a friend.'”

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Primary Instrument

Clarinet

Location

Sydney

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Bachelor of Performance (classical clarinet) Diploma of Education (secondary) Australian clinician and endorsee for Buffet, Keilwerth, Lomax Classic, Smart Music, Boosey & Hawkes. Author of "Play Clarinet With Andy Firth" (book 1 & 2) Boosey & Hawkes Publishing, London. "Play Saxophone With Andy Firth" (books 1 & 2) Boosey & Hawkes Publishing, London.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Australian clinician and endorsee for Buffet, Keilwerth, Lomax Classic, Smart Music, BG France,Boosey & Hawkes. Available for master classes at any educational level specialising in clarinet & saxophone playing techniques and big band music. Author of "Play Clarinet With Andy Firth" (book 1 & 2) Boosey & Hawkes Publishing, London. "Play Saxophone With Andy Firth" (books 1 & 2) Boosey & Hawkes Publishing, London.

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Montage

Accessible Music Productions
2010

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