Born: February 20, 1978 Primary Instrument: Trumpet
American trumpeter and composer Andre Canniere is fast establishing himself as a leading figure on the UK jazz scene. Prior to his move to London in 2008, Andre lived in New York City where he worked with artists such as Maria Schneider, Bjorkestra, Ted Poor, Ingrid Jensen, Donny McCaslin and Darcy James Argue. He has toured widely throughout the United States and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Birdland, the Hague Jazz Festival and the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Since his arrival in the UK, Andre’s profile has been steadily rising, both as a solo artist and a collaborator. His album ‘Forward Space’, released in 2012 on the Whirlwind Recordings label, received widespread critical acclaim including a five-star review from the Guardian and a Mercury Prize recommendation.
Canniere is a composer whose music often crosses the traditional boundaries of classification, infusing and drawing inspiration from multiple genres. His unique compositional style is typified by a keen knowledge of all the contemporary jazz trends and shows his powerful but melodic approach to improvising.
In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Andre enjoys an active career as a music educator. Currently, Andre teaches at the Highgate School and Trinity College of Music in London and previously was a teaching assistant at the Eastman School of Music where he received his Masters degree in Jazz Performance, and as an instructor at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. He also teaches privately, works as an adjudicator, and presents master classes at schools and universities.
“Forward Space is a promising blend of punchy Latin-funk, fusion guitar effects, loop-pattern pieces, sighing horn-led melodies and clever writing, which establishes an exhilarating collective strength.”
Jazzwise
“One of the best debut recordings in a long time…a real gem”
Mercury Prize Recommends
“On his UK debut the trumpeter, who earned his chops amid New York’s famed Downtown scene, employs intuitive improvisational skills and a compositional depth that’s become characteristic of the many varied bands and musicians responsible for UK Jazz’s international recognition.”
All About Jazz
“Canniere demonstrates an ability to mix and match influences from different genres to create an original concoction all his own….Canniere takes his inspirations from world politics and economics as well as from his own family, rendering Forward Space never predictable, but always played from the heart.”
London Jazz
“An impressive debut from a technically assured, highly individual soloist and a gifted composer.”
The Jazz Mann
“An intelligent and stimulating amalgam of jazz and rock elements. For all their jazz sophistication Canniere’s tunes often have a song like structure and flair for melody.”
Time Out London
“Canniere leads his hugely talented post-bop fusion band through propulsive originals from new album ‘Forward Space’. Packed with heavy modern grooves and artful melodies, it’s the perfect vehicle for the trumpeter’s engaging angular solos.”
Music OMH
“The music on Forward Space presents a powerful argument for directness and visceral experience in jazz”
The List
“The music takes off most impressively in the edgier groove- based tunes like ‘Crunch’, ‘Lost in Translation’ and the title track, but they also investigate more gently impressionistic material in a couple of tunes, and Canniere’s concluding dedication to his infant son, ‘Song For J’, on which he plays all the instruments, is very pretty.”
UK Vibe
“An interesting UK debut that reveals a thoughtful musician with an open mind to his craft”
The Jazz Breakfast
“the trumpet/guitar timbral contrast is used most effectively, and the writing is rich, making this very much a group session rather than leaving lots of room for conventional soloing against a holding rhythm section”
All Music Guide
“Canniere’s intriguing works ignite the imagination”
Cadence Magazine
“Trumpeter Andre Canniere is yet another young musician who seeks to make music that not only draws on the worlds of Jazz, but also of Rock and elsewhere… the compositions are a far cry from the staid template contained on many Jazz records… harmonic drama and consistently shifting rhythmic sequences.”
As of Yet (Omatic, 2006)
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Primary Instrument:
Trumpet
Location:
London
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Highgate School - Head of Brass
Trinity College - Jazz Department Tutor
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Focus on improvisation and composition.
