Duane Andrews

Duane Andrews has been most active on the East Coast music scene during the past decade working as a sideman with a variety of musicians such as renowned bluesman Dennis Parker, rising star vocalist Jenny Gear and Irish fiddle master Seamus Creagh. Inspired by legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Duane Andrews has recently begun fronting his own project combining Jazz, Folk and original music.

Born in Carbonear NL, Duane began playing his mother’s guitar at age 10 and the instrument quickly became an important part of his life. After completing high school he pursued Jazz studies at ST. FXU and graduated with a BA Music (Honours) in 1994. Deciding to stay in Nova Scotia, he spent a couple of years on the Halifax scene playing with a variety of groups such as Hu Noo (experimental rock and roll), His Luscious Uncle (Celtic rock), a classical guitar ensemble and a variety of jazz units, Duane returned to NL in 1996, where he rediscovered his musical roots and became heavily involved with the general music community. Specifically the traditional music scene, performing with the likes of Fergus O’Byrne, Kelly Russell and Newfoundland fiddle prodigy Danette Eddy.

With Danette, he went on to produce two albums “Motion Potion” and “Traces “ which garnished Danette 2 MIANL Instrumental Artist of the Year awards for 2000 and 2002. Also, during this time he also began Plus productions, a music production company, and began working on a variety of recordings (see discography) and production projects including a soon to be completed music documentary about the contemporary St. John’s music scene.

Furthering his interest in the study of music, Duane began to study Classical music, specifically music composition. These pursuits led him to France where he has annually returned to over the past 5 years studying music composition first with Michel Prady at the Conservatoire International de Paris and for the past three years with Georges Boeuf and Regis Campo at the Conservatoire National de Region in Marseille France.

It was during his time in France that he discovered the music of French Gypsy Jazz guitar pioneer Django Reinhardt and his disciples. Upon returning from France in 2002, Duane began leading his first solo project under his own name fusing the stylings of Reinhardt with Newfoundland traditional music and his own compositions. He is currently recording his debut CD set for release February 2004.