Andrew Speight

Andrew Speight – jazz saxophonist

2019 Aug 3, Saturday
6:00-7:30
South Stage

“. . . Andrew Speight will carry the music’s torch into the next millennium.” Wynton Marsalis

“ . . . when we hear talent like this, we know there has to be a place for jazz.” Leonard Feather

“. . .one of the finest and most exciting of today’s alto saxophonists.” Nat Adderley

“…In a triumphant homecoming concert, Speight gave a dazzling display of virtuosity before a packed and enthusiastic audience” The Australian – Sydney

“…Speight’s inventiveness epitomizes jazz’s unlimited reinterperative possibilities”
Village Voice

“…Out of the Australian contingent who have invaded the festival, Andrew Speight has been drawing rave reviews….he’ll be back if knocked-out audiences have their way” Edinburgh Evening News

“…A scintillating late night blow from Australian bop saxophonist Andrew Speight, will linger in my memory as the highlight of the festival” London Observer

“…Speight is a saxophonist who continues to impress in all ways…” Detroit Free Press

Prior to his arrival in the United States, Andrew Speight was a leading saxophone player on the Australian jazz scene performing with James Morrison, Tom Baker, Don Burrows and his own quintet “Now’s the Time”. He also performed with visiting jazz artists from the States, including Nat Adderley, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Newman, Joe Williams and Louis Bellson. In 1991, Andrew Speight was introduced to the international jazz world at the Thelonius Monk International Saxophone Competition in Washington, D.C. Of some 500 entrants from around the world, Andrew Speight was the only non-American prize winner.

In 1992, Andrew Speight was appointed to the jazz faculty of Michigan State University (MSU). In that capacity, he has collaborated with Marcus Belgrave, Louis Smith, Jimmy Heath, Milt Hinton, Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano and Benny Carter. He also participated in jazz festivals in the United States, most notably the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1993, he played at the Edinburgh and Brecon festivals, as well as a BBC television concert with Wynton Marsalis and his band. In 1994 he was invited back to these festivals as well as others in Europe, at which time he also won critical acclaim for his jazz workshops. He also played with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Andrew Speight was appointed Director of Jazz Studies at the MSU School of Music in 1994. In this role he introduced concepts that assisted in the integration of improvisation throughout all undergraduate curricula. He prospered in developing a faculty of highly regarded jazz artists with international reputations, including saxophonist Branford Marsalis and bassist Rodney Whitaker.

The last years in Michigan saw the release of two recordings. SPEIGHT released in November 1998 was recorded in the United States accompanied by some of the finest young jazz instrumentalists. In September 1998 he recorded and released the CD Andrew Speight Quartet in Australia which received the country’s ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) award for Best Jazz Album of 1999, the Australian equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Andrew also implemented the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University.

Andrew Spreight at Aberdeen

In 2000, Speight relocated to San Francisco as a Professor at San Francisco State University. He also returned to his native Sydney at the behest of Olympic coordinators to perform during the Torch Relay to launch the opening of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games ™. Upon return to the United States, Speight recorded several original compositions with an all star aggregation that included Wynton Marsalis, on Rodney Whitaker’s album “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”.

In the fall of 2001 he implemented the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at San Francisco State University. Andrew began performing the original Charlie Parker with Strings arrangements and restored many unrecorded titles for concert presentation. He has performed and recorded these orchestrations in Australia, Europe and the United States with full orchestral accompaniment. In 2005 an album produced by Branford Marsalis featuring Andrew along with Ellis and Jimmy Cobb won much critical praise.

Currently Andrew is the leader and artistic director of the Generations Jazz Project. The Project resides at San Francisco State, the centerpiece being a jazz combo of undisputed jazz masters. Founding members included Jimmy Cobb, Ray Drummond, Ronnie Mathews, Eric Alexander and Marcus Belgrave. Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Jeremy Pelt, Terrell Stafford, Louis Hayes, Jim Rotundi, Joe Farnsworth and David Hazeltine are also part of the regular roster. This band is considered one of the finest in jazz and has also produced a full feature DVD and accompanying CD on essential concepts in Jazz education.

Along with this Andrew is also the artistic director of the Manly International jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the southern hemisphere. He is also educational consultant to the Stanford Summer Jazz Program.

From his passion to incorporate traditional styles and contemporary concepts, Andrew Speight has been recognized as a “keeper of the flame” by many jazz legends. His ability to communicate musical ideals long stressed by Jazz Masters in both performance and scholarship make him a tour de force that receives much attention. As a saxophonist, his sound is instantly identifiable, and his engaging delivery of creative ideas makes for a stimulating experience.

This performance includes:

Xavier Davis – Piano
David Rosen – Bass
Randy Gelispie – Percussion