Andy Fite, jazz guitar!

Andy Fite grew up in Pittsburgh, PA., and has been living in New York City since 1985. His first musical inspiration was the Beatles, but one day, at the age of 16, he heard both Charlie Parker and Lennie Tristano, and Jazz got a new and enthusiastic student. While in Pittsburgh, Andy played with practically everybody on the scene there, plus such visitors as Kenny Clarke, Billy Eckstine, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Tal Farlow.

Since moving to New York, he has been studying Jazz Improvising with Connie Crothers, appearing in clubs and concerts, touring from time to time in Scandinavia, and also teaching privately. His three CD releases have all received warm critical comment. They are:

• PHANTASMAGORIA [NA1004CD/LP] (1988), duo with Liz Gorrill, piano and voice,
  • "...an impressive series of duets that deal in complex harmonies, intricate interplay, and consummate musicianship." (R. Iannapollo, OPTION);
  • "...an exceptional recording...A perfect duo that hopefully will appear on record more frequently."(Tim Smith, CADENCE)
• COSMIC COMEDY [NA1012CD] (1991), duo with Liz Gorrill, piano,
  • "...nine improvised duets full of rare grace and emotional nuance...highly recommended." (David Dupont, CADENCE);
  • "...an alloy of rare density and brilliance...duo music of world class, all categories!" (Bjarne Moelv, FOLKET, Sweden)
• EVERYBODY GOT HAPPY [NA1014] (1992), duo with Red Mitchell, bass and voice,
  • "...swinging music, fun to listen to and with fine interplay between the young Fite and the older Red, showing what a generation-transcending music jazz can be." (Bjorn Borgstrom, DAGENS INDUSTRI, Sweden);
  • "Fite is positively ebullient...His improvisations never end up where you anticipate...Mark this tribute to the joys of spontaneous creation down as one to the most accurately titled recording ever. Recommended." (David Dupont, CADENCE)
• SWEET FULFILLMENT [NA1019CD] [1994], trio with Charley Krachy, tenor saxophone, Andy Fite, guitar, Boel Dirke, piano and voice,
  • "...a veritable spine tingler!...a series of absolutely world-class improvisations." {Bjarne Moelv, FOLKET, Sweden]
  • " the three have creatd a weave of rich textures and colors...long strings of piano notes like pearls of water, intertwined with the lush sound of the tenor and the constant thread of the guitar winding in and out of the texture, sometimes steely and strong, other times vibrant and soft..."
• * just released! * WHIRLWIND [NA1022CD] [1995], Andy Fite, solo guitar!

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*Congratulations to Andy Fite and his wife, jazz pianist and singer, Boel Dirke, on the birth of their son, Nik! *