Home » Jazz Musicians » Andy Ballantyne

Andy Ballantyne

A native of Toronto, Canada, Andy Ballantyne began learning music in the Toronto public school system, studying clarinet and saxophone. He soon developed an interest in jazz and studied privately with Woody Herman alumnus Steve Lederer. Later teachers included Pat Labarbara, Alex Dean and Mike Murley. Exposure to recordings of the Stan Kenton Band, Nimmons and Nine Plus Six, and especially Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass fueled an early interest in composition and arranging. Andy went on to study arranging, orchestration and composition with Ron Collier at Humber College and Phil Nimmons at the University of Toronto. Andy gained his first professional experience at Expo’86 in Vancouver playing daily for five months with the Humber College big band under the direction of Ron Collier, and went on to play in the Ron Collier Jazz Orchestra up until the time of Ron’s death in 2003. Over the past 20 years, Andy has established himself on the Toronto scene as a versatile performer on both tenor and alto saxophones, as well as a skilled woodwind doubler, arranger, composer and jazz educator. He is a regular member of several noted jazz groups, including the Juno Award winning Rex Hotel Orchestra, the Brian Dickinson Jazz Orchestra, Brian Barlow Big Band, Martin Loomer's Orange Devils swing band, and the Toronto Saxophone Quartet. Having the opportunity to perform with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass was a particular thrill, and Andy was featured on Rob's epic arrangement of "All The Things You Are" on the band's final recording "Live at the Old Mill". Andy has also performed with groups led by Don Thompson, Dave Young, and Hilario Duran. Career highlight include appearances with some of the world’s foremost jazz musicians and composers including Sam Rivers, Don Byron, Bill Mayes, Kurt Elling, Jamie Cullen, Kenny Wheeler and Carla Bley. Andy’s arrangements and compositions have been featured on several recordings (see discography), and many are available through Clovertone Music. Andy has been on the faculty at Humber College since 2002 teaching theory, composition and arranging, as well as coaching ensembles and giving private instruction on saxophone and woodwinds. Over the years composition has become an increasingly large part of Andy’s creative output, culminating in the debut of the Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble at the Rex Jazz Bar in Toronto in March of 2006. This 11-piece band performs original compositions and arrangements by Andy and includes some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians; most notably David Braid, Kevin Turcotte, William Carn and Kelly Jefferson.

Read more

Tags

3
Radio & Podcasts

Rantzer, Ballantyne, Millaci, Tonbruket and More

Read "Rantzer, Ballantyne, Millaci, Tonbruket and More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


At the heart of this week's show are albums by Tito Mangialajo Rantzer and Andy Ballantyne both of which include dedications to famous jazz musicians. Amongst other material there is also new music from Giuseppe Millaci & Vogue Trio and Tonbruket. Playlist Tito Mangialajo Rantzer “After Sam" from Dedications (Solista Records) 00:00 Andy Ballantyne “ All Stops to Oshawa (for Jimmy Giuffre)" from Play on Words (G-B Records) 06:12 Giuseppe Millaci & Vogue Trio “Timeless" from The ...

Read more articles
122

Recording

Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble Release Debut CD "The Sum of the Parts"

Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble Release Debut CD "The Sum of the Parts"

Source: All About Jazz

One of the most innovative and unique groups to appear on the Canadian jazz scene in recent years, the Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble announces the release of their debut CD “The Sum of the Parts". Featuring eleven of Canada's finest musicians under the direction of noted saxophonist and composer Andy Ballantyne, this unique ensemble combines the rich palette of a big band with the spontaneity of a small group. There's an abundance of variety on the seven originals and three ...

"Reedman/composer Andy Ballantyne has found plenty to work with deploying his A-list troops on The Sum of the Parts (Indie). He's written seven of the ten pieces here, and has made charts of substance for a group with four saxophones, two trumpets and two trombones, balanced by the thriving rhythm section of pianist David Braid, bassist Mike McClennan and drummer Daniel Barnes. Together they pull off the tricky feat of balancing improvisation with composition. Everyone solos, eight of them on the fascinating opener "American Portrait," and the ensemble creates unusually rich blends throughout from the leader's crafted structures. Tracks to note include "Spin," a pulsating "The Big Dance," a flavourful "The Fifth Beatle" with trombonist William Carn and saxophonist Kelly Jefferson starring, and a laid-back "The Phone Don't Ring Jack" featuring growling trombone work from Rob Somerville. The boss saves Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" for himself and Braid, and it's delightful."

Read more

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Play On Words

G-B Records
2019

buy

The Sum of the Parts

Self Produced
2008

buy

Gordian Knot

From: Play On Words
By Andy Ballantyne

Not With A Wimp But A Banker

From: Play On Words
By Andy Ballantyne

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.