Live Performances- CONSTANT TOUR

Archived & Upcoming
Live Schedule and
Performances

For Immediate Release
New York, New York

March 16, 2008

CANADIAN JAZZ GUITARIST ANDY GABRYS
STAYS ON TRACK AND REMAINS CONSTANT

Gabrys grew up on the West Coast of Canada, in a town called Chilliwack, a city of 70,000 people at the “Green Heart” of British Columbia. Just a short drive from the busy port city of Vancouver, but nestled among the fertile fields and pastures of the Fraser Valley at the foot of the majestic Cascade Mountains, it was a perfect backdrop for a young Canadian boy who loved the outdoors but also was driven to stretch his artistic horizon at the same time. He learned how to play guitar in high school after spending five years with his lips around the reed of an alto saxophone. Initially juggling both instruments, he finally decided to focus on the guitar. He gigged around BC in various bands while at the same time spending many hours on the water, surfing and kayaking on BC's beautiful waterways. He enjoyed the best of both worlds and was able to enjoy a solid balance of work and play. This is a recurring theme in Constant.

Gabrys was not convinced a professional life as a musician was a realistic path for him. In 1996 he graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering. After graduation he started off as a junior engineer working at Myra Falls Operations, Breakwater Resources Ltd and soon became a mine planning engineer. But he still had the desire to leave the depths of the mine at 5 and pick up the strings by 6.

In 2002 he enrolled in a one year Contemporary Music Program at Selkirk College in Nelson, BC. By the end of 2002 he received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA and graduated Summa Cum Laude in Jazz Composition in December 2004. By this time he had made the decision to follow his life long dream to play and compose music and ventured out to become a professional musician. Constant is the culmination of years of playing and planning.

Prior to graduating from Berklee, in the summer of 2003 he had the opportunity to play guitar (guitar chair) in the Hugh Fraser Jazz Orchestra Residency at the renowned Banff Centre, Banff, AB, Canada. It was there he had the chance to not only work with Hugh Fraser but also he was able to play with some of jazz's greatest and legendary players such as Rufus Reid. His drive to become a respected jazz guitarist was fueled by his direct encounters with these world renowned musicians.

After graduation he was determined to obtain financial security that he had become accustomed to as a mining engineer. He obtained what musicians call their "chops" at sea as a member of the orchestra for the Norwegian Cruise Lines. For a new professional musician playing every night is a great way to hone your skills and pay the bills. His planning was paying off.

In 2005 he and his wife Jennifer who is also Canadian, moved to Brooklyn, New York. Since this move Gabrys has had a busy schedule recording, performing live and producing music. His work has been featured on television commercials, independent artist’s releases, and educational films for clients such as Harvard University, WO30 Records and the Mosaica Agency / JSM Music. In 2007 he contributed to various soundtracks for indie films, The Motel Room, Fiesta Grand and Barrio Thief and Eli’s Liquor Store. He has performed and recorded with entertainers Tony Tillman, Richie Sachs, Denise Marsa, Herb Reed and the Platters. In addition he frequently works on transcriptions for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.

Gabrys who is constantly reminded of how important his mentors were when he first started playing the guitar, is also an experienced instructor, having taught guitar privately since 1988. With an overwhelming teaching schedule, there is currently a waiting list to study with Gabrys.

Gabrys says about Constant, “It has been a true labor of love, and there were times when I wondered if I would ever be satisfied enough with the end results to release it. Since I was involved with so many aspects of the recording- there were many levels of the process I had to really focus on and understand. As it is my first recording I wanted to represent not only where I came from, where I am now but also where I am going. Being a bit shy, putting myself out there was a bit scary at first but as I got closer to finishing the CD I became more and more excited to share it. I am constantly inspired by the great jazz artists that have influenced my playing. Right now I feel very grateful for all the support I have had with this recording and for having the opportunity to say…hey check out my CD Constant.”

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