Andy Sherwood Jazz Quartet

jazz

In 1998, Clarinetist and Saxophonist Andy Sherwood formed the Andy Sherwood Jazz Quartet in New London, CT. Andy displays a style deeply rooted in the clarinet playing of Benny Goodman, “the King of Swing”, and Pete Fountain, “the King of Dixieland.” Andy grew up listening to these great clarinetists, eventually leading him to audition and win the position as jazz clarinetist for the U.S. Coast Guard Band. In 2009 he retired from the band after 24 years, and along the way he joined forces with pianist Ian Frenkel, bassist Bryan Rizzuto, and drummer Tom Briggs.

Andy Sherwood was dubbed the “Benny Goodman” of the Coast Guard Band while performing as jazz soloist throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii, Russia, England and Japan. He led the Coast Guard Dixieland Band for 15 years, performing in many notable venues including the Kennedy Center and Sylvan Theater in Washington DC and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In fact, the performances in New Orleans led him to have the good fortune to play alongside his childhood hero, clarinetist Pete Fountain. Andy holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the Ohio State University and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Connecticut.

Ian Frenkel, a native of Moscow, Russia, is a talented pianist, arranger, and composer. Equally adept in all jazz styles, he approaches Dixieland with extraordinary spirit. He holds degrees from Gorky Conservatory in Moscow and the Manhattan School of Music. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Band for 15 years and is now Director of Cadet Bands at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Bryan Rizzuto is a Rhode Island career musician who has performed worldwide with artists spanning genres from Carl Anderson of Jesus Christ Superstar to Al Copley and Duke Robillard of Rhode Island's own Roomful of Blues. He is a consultant at Upton Basses in Mystic, CT, and he teaches the art of musicianship at learning institutions across New England.

Tom Briggs is an award winning arranger and composer as well as a highly sought after vibraphonist and pianist. He has studied with jazz greats Gary Burton and Max Roach. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts. In 2009, he retired after 30 years of service with the Coast Guard Band. He performed with the Dixieland band and created the Masters of Swing. Currently, he is music director at the Community Music School in Centerbrook, CT.

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