Andy Firth is one of a small number of Australian artists to have performed a concert under their own name at Carnegie Hall. In March 2008, he played a concert billed as “Goodman & Beyond” to a standing ovation, with guest artist, the living jazz legend, Buddy DeFranco. Andy also performed at the Australian Consulate General, New York, the concert being described by officials as one of the best and well attended ever. He gave a master class and performed at the University of Florida, then at Il Moro Club, Los Angeles with guitarist, Jim Fox.
Andy has performed with some of the world’s finest musicians: Buddy DeFranco, Ingrid Jensen, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, B.B. King, Lee Konitz, Jay Hungerford, Bud Shank, James Moody, Kenny Ball and His Jazz Men, Acker Bilk and many more.
Australian artists include: Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior, Julie Anthony, Don Burrows, Tommy Emmanuel, George Golla, James Muller, Ray Aldridge, Galapagos Duck, Tony Gould, Little Pattie, Bob Barnard, Graeme Bell, Tom Baker, Vince Jones, Jonathan Wade, Anita Wardel, The Society Syncopators, John Foreman, James & John Morrison, late greats Ricky May and Bobby Limb.
Andy has performed with many of Australia’s symphony orchestras as a jazz and classical soloist where maestro, Tommy Tycho, often featured him as a soloist. In 2006, Andy received a MO Award for “Best Jazz Instrumentalist”. Andy has recently been honoured with an award for his outstanding services to jazz in South Australia.
The late Maestro Tommy Tycho, D.Mus. AM. MBE:
“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 sought after as a 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.”
Jimmy Abato, USA sax legend:
“’I have never heard anything like this guy; he is a one in a million! His musicality and playing is totally unique! Andy Firth is, in my opinion, one of our greatest artists and musicians like him pass this way but once. I am thrilled to have met and heard him perform!’”
Thanks mate but that quote is from US sax legend Jimmy Abato not Tommy Tycho.
Tommy’s quote:
“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 sought after as a wonderful teacher, a lecturer of “good music” and a fine composer. I am priviledged to be associated with him and also call him a friend.”
The late Maestro Tommy Tycho D.Mus. AM. MBE