Bop/post bop, Mainstream/swing, Modern/contemporary, Latin Jazz

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See Below for:

. ABOUT AYQ
. ALBUMS and REVIEWS
. BUY CDs/DOWNLOADS
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AYQ come out swingin’

He’s a somewhat reserved musician and rarely performs these days, but Andy Young is quietly going about making a big noise in the world of jazz.

With two celebrated albums and sales across four continents the Andy Young Quartet (AYQ) has the Australian jazz fraternity talking; mostly about a return to melody and the George Shearing sound featuring vibraphone and guitar.

“The whole thing is quite bizarre really; a classic case of being in the right place at the right time with the right people and the right music”, Andy said.

AYQ is Sean Brady (drums), Hamish Stevenson (double Bass), Kelly Ottaway (piano/vibes) and Andy Young (guitar).

Their debut album Downside Up (Hardrush 0015) released in 2007 earned a multitude of outstanding reviews and the new album Walk On Up (Hardrush 0066) is headed down the same path with a warm reception from jazz radio throughout Australia.

Andy said that without the support of community radio the bulk of recorded music, including his, would never be heard.

“We’ve had great support for both albums from jazz radio and although we can’t compete with the more popular genres for unit sales, we’re right up there in terms of regular airplay rotation; that’s pretty good for a jazz recording.”

In 2004 Andy made the ultimate "tree change" - from 20 years in Queensland's famous Sunshine Coast resort town of Noosa Heads to the tiny community of Glen Huon in southern Tasmania.

“AYQ is essentially a recording project. We don’t rehearse or gig together; we just turn up at the studio on the day and play through my compositions.

“I’ve never really embraced gigging, so the recordings allow me to participate in the jazz scene albeit from a distance.”

Andy regards the low-key absorption of ‘Downside Up’ into the jazz mix as simply another curiosity of the music business.

“I can’t really explain it, although many of the reviews we’ve had make reference to the melodic nature of the tunes and the ‘old-school’ style and format in the arrangements.

“Jazz is a much misunderstood genre, but I believe melody eliminates much of the ambiguity, making the music more accessible.

“Plus, there remains a good deal of intrigue about anything from Tasmania and we’ve certainly gained some notoriety from that aspect alone; Tassie tigers yes….Tassie devils yes….. but Tassie jazz musos…….? That sort of thing.”

Downside Up and Walk On Up were recorded and mastered in Hobart at Benjafield Collective and Red Planet Recording Studio.

Most of the tracks on both albums were recorded in one take, reflecting Andy’s organic approach to the music.

“We recorded Downside Up over three sessions. We’d never played together before, but I knew Sean and Kelly from music school and they recommended Hamish on double bass. That’s pretty much the story behind AYQ.

“We separated the sound by playing in different rooms and the vibes were dubbed in later.

“The new album ‘Walk On Up’ features Andrew Legg on Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano. Andrew is one of Australia’s finest musicians across any genre and his contribution is simply spectacular.

“I like the ‘live in the studio’ approach. It’s as close to performing as I’m prepared to go for now”, Andy said.
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REVIEWS

Album:'Walk On Up'
Artist: Andy Young Quartet
Label: Hardrush
Catalogue No.:HRDM0066
Released: 2009
Recorded: Hobart, Tasmania

"Walk On Up, named for a chord progression found in some blues and gospel music, is subtitled ‘progressive jazz’ by record company Hardrush. Don’t let that put you off. When I think of progressive jazz, Stan Kenton or the Jazz Warriors spring to mind - neither comparison would accurately define the signature sound of this album. It contains neither the brittleness of the Kenton sound nor the brashness of the Jazz Warriors. Later on in the notes you’ll be informed that the AYQ sound incorporates the ‘swing, blues, ballad, bebop and bossa’ styles and this is much more helpful. It’s not fusion though. There are tunes in each of these styles but the styles are not meshed. They do however sit well together, mainly because of the very strong melodies which weave a cogent thematic thread. In the UK, this album would be categorised as smooth or cool jazz. The wonderful London-based radio station Smooth-FM would call it ‘dinner jazz’. Bear in mind, Kind of Blue would fall into that category. If you’re the type of person who occasionally finds yourself humming ‘Round Midnight' in wistful moments, you’ll want this CD, and Downside Up too if you don’t already have it - and you’ll probably want to have a chic dinner party to show them off.

It’s unusual to find a jazz album where the playing isn’t superb - it's the nature of the beast - and here you'll be treated to some fine ensemble playing. Andy wears his influences proudly with a stylistic range that runs from Wes Montgomery right through to George Benson via Barney Kessel. For mine, Kelly Ottaway on piano and vibes is the tallest amongst some very lofty poppies. It’s almost like you’re listening to Bill Evans when he’s on piano and Milt Jackson when he’s playing vibes.

Andy’s trump card in the world of jazz is that he is a composer of no small ability and versatility – a quality I’m guessing will make him extremely popular once more people get to hear his tunes. I’m sure there’s been a ton of theses written on the dearth of decent tunesmiths in jazz but I’m going to speculate totally off the top of my head and venture that the separation between players and tunes coincided with the demise of the American musical after the Rogers and Hammerstein era. Prior to that Broadway had supplied many of the staples of what we now know as the Great American Songbook. In my view the last great jazz translation of a show tune was John Coltrane’s sublime reading of My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music.

The sung-through musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Stephen Sondheim tended towards a more homogenous score and were less likely to contain tunes with enough elevation to interest jazzers. Around the same time many of the great player-composers who’d made up the other half of the book, died (Charlie Parker, Coltrane, Clifford Brown), or put their feet up (Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington) or gallivanted off in entirely new musical directions (Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus). Then in the sixties, the shift to Latin rhythms exemplified by the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, more or less closed the book on the jazz standard. Why would anyone want to invest in new tunes when they could play Ornithology, Joy Spring or Nica’s Dream? This legacy carried within it the seeds of its own destruction because no art form can suffer the finite indefinitely. At some point someone was going to have to start over, and many have fallen trying.

Now, forty or so years down the track, Andy Young appears with a big fat batch of meaty compositions that seem to me at least to slot right back into the grand tradition of the jazz tune. The format on this new CD mirrors the successful configuration on Downside Up. You’ve got ten substantial numbers nudging the content just over the hour mark with a mixed bag of up and down tempos and an impressive spectrum of moods. There is a much bolder emotional palette on display on this second album. The ballads are the best indicator of that maturing in confidence. Serenade on Downside Up, although slightly melancholic is carefree and somewhat restrained. My Joy on Walk On Up, on the other hand, exposes a genuine saudade of the type that truly haunts. I hope Andy records more ballads next time around.

So, music-loving readers, I urge you to purchase this collection – the quality of my Christmas present may depend on it…"

(That's So Pants, http://thatssopants.blogspot.com/ )
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"The Andy Young Quartet, a very stylish foursome from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia led by guitarist Andy Young has released their second album titled “Walk on Up”.

Like their previous CD “Downside up” all the tunes are composed and arranged by the leader Andy Young.

“Downside Up” when released received rave reviews across Australia, and having heard their new album I’m sure it will receive similar accolades.

“Walk on Up” consists of the same instrumentation as the first album, that is guitar, piano/vibes, bass and drums.

On the new album there are a couple of up-tempo tunes along with medium tempo numbers, where as the previous album was mainly medium to more laid back tempo tunes.

The Quartet maintains their distinctive “sound” which is important in identifying and reinforcing their individuality – it’s all about “branding”!.

Andy Young is a talented writer whose compositions are very easy on the ear, with the members of the Quartet complimenting each other with some pleasant solos.

I would like to hear how they would put their individual “stamp” on established standard material. Something that perhaps they should consider when planning future albums.

One of the pluses of The Andy Young “style” is that it is non-obtrusive jazz that is very suitable for (dare I say it) “background” atmosphere music – that is, you are aware that’s it’s there but it doesn’t intrude.

With one exception, the personnel of The Andy Young Quartet remain the same as those on the first album, that is: Andy Young, guitar; Kelly Ottaway, piano/vibes; Hamish Stevenson, bass and Sean Brady, drums. The exception is that on some tracks Kelly Ottaway is replaced by Andrew Legg on piano or fender Rhodes.

I have not personally met Andy, however he comes across as a person whose modesty has him (the leader) listed last on the personnel line-up on the CD liner notes. Perhaps that’s why the group gels so well together.

If you want to support quality Australian jazz then pick up “Walk on Up”. It’s on the Hardrush Music label."

(The Jazz Man, www.thejazzman.com.au)
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"The latest release on Hardrush Music from the Andy Young Quartet , “Walk On Up” delivers an album of laid back, ultra- cool original compositions from the hand of it’s leader to create a perfectly enjoyable collection of music from a band you wish was gigging in your local pub every Sunday afternoon. However, surprisingly, this band has never played together outside of the studio!
There is an almost gentle air about the music they play on this album that is lithe, lyrical and definitely infectious.
Kelly Ottaway shines on vibes on album highlight “Loose Change” , just one of the many gems to be discovered along side “Huon Waters”, “Bop Dee-Da-Da” and “Saturday Utopia” which features some fine guitar work from Andy Young and the mirthful drum beats of Sean Brady.
It’s solid ensemble work all the way through as the other two musicians, Hamish Stevenson-double bass,(just superb on “Messin”!) and Andrew Legg-piano /Fender Rhodes-, slide into the action with precision and professionalism.
I wish every jazz producer working today would pay attention to these guys.
And if I wish hard enough they might be in my local one Sunday arvo."

(Barry O'Sullivan:Producer/Presenter of “Jazz Hour” which is broadcast nationally each week across Australia, Saturdays at 5.00pm via the Community Radio Network)
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“The second album by the Andy Young Quartet, following on from the success of their debut album Downside Up comes as another breath of fresh air at a time when so much recorded music, including contemporary jazz, tends often to be depressing, boring, self-indulgent or a combination of any two.

Downside Up was a great album, but Walk On Up surpasses it – from the opening bars of Hamish Stevenson’s walking bass on Messin’ to the final track Saturday Utopia, a fast blues taken at a joyful thrash with everyone having a fine old time, this is a stand-out piece of work.

The title track has Andrew Legg on Fender Rhodes, freeing up Kelly Ottaway to swing out on vibes with Hampton-esque mutterings in time with his solo – great stuff.

All members contribute solidly, but without trying to trip each other up, jumping in and out and allowing each plenty of solo space – to pick out any one as being “better” than another would be not only unfair but inaccurate – the album is a fine example of the whole being equally as good as its constitute parts.

Everything that has ever appealed to me about jazz is encapsulated in this work – thoughtful and enthusiastic composition, masterful musicianship and an approach which appeals to the listener to “come on, join in with us, get with it, enjoy the ride”. And enjoy the ride I do, albeit restricted to the tapping of feet, waving of arms and a chuckle as one or other sideman “swings out” and imparts his own interpretation on the piece.

Can’t wait for the next offering from The Andy Young Quartet – more, please, Andy and guys !”

(Roger Carpenter, jazz presenter KLFM 96.5 Bendigo)
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"Brilliant! Modern jazz at its very best. Cool,smooth,easy to listen to, the very best musicianship and a truly professional sound...."

(Jim and Di Walford "Blues and Jazz" Coast FM 963 Gosford)
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"If you enjoyed "Downside Up" you will most certainly love Andy's latest "Walk On Up". Ten great original compositions with the same easily recognizable AYQ style but with the addition of Andrew Legg. What I like about these arrangements is that all five get a chance to showcase their talents, beginning with Hamish Stevenson leading off on Messin'. . The result is a disc that will have broad appeal to jazz enthusiasts everywhere. To my mind this disc is reminiscent of the easy style of the great Barney Kessel. A must for your collection."

(Carole Hayes presenter of "All the Best" Shoalhaven Radio Nowra)
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"When I heard the first Andy Young Quartet CD “Downside Up” I thought this is a great sound reminiscent of some of the swing and early Bop quartets. Good melody and each soloist coming in on queue with the bass and drums constantly holding the rhythm.
Repeated playings gave more enjoyment. I awaited the next release. Often second releases don’t quite measure up, but this one, very much to my pleasure, certainly does. The Fender Rhodes adds variation to the soloists and a richer sound . “Walk on Up” is a great follow up to “Downside Up” and should be in your collection."

(Brian Fane jazz presenter Noosa Community Radio FM 101.3)
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"Andy has done it again!
The acclaim the Andy Young Quartet achieved with their first CD “Downside Up”
is bound to be surpassed with their second offering “Walk On Up”. Augmented on
half of the ten tracks by Andrew Legg on piano and fender rhodes, the full
sounding tight-knit quartet sounds even better. Andy has again written and
recorded a brilliant mixture of contemporary jazz tracks, and lovers of this genre
will not be disappointed. Get your copy now and start enjoying it."

(Ian Coots WYN FM 88.9)
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"Their first outing {Downside Up} was quite remarkable, but this album has achieved an even tighter sound while retaining the obvious air of enthusiasm.
Keep up the good work AYQ!"

(Geoff Brown "Jazz Notes" 2MCE FM Bathurst)
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REVIEWS

Album: Downside Up
artist: Andy Young Quartet
Label: Hardrush
Catalogue No: HRDM 0015
Published: 2007
Recorded: Hobart,Tasmania

"This is an excellent first recording from a Tasmanian quartet led by guitarist Andy Young, with pianist Kelly Ottaway, bass player Hamish Stevenson and drummer Sean Brady. The group expands to a quintet when Ottaway over-dubs on vibraphone.

Most tracks start off with the leader's guitar outlining the melody, followed by solos all round, interspersed by unison passages from the group supported by a steady pulsing bass and gently simmering brushes. The group shows surprising empathy despite having never worked together previously and with only a brief preliminary discussion before the recording session.

Andy Young composed all the music and presumedy all the arrangements as well. The result is a well integrated group playing a succession of attractive tunes - 61 minutes of urbane, smooth-flowing music , reminding me at times of the old George Shearing quintet without the locked hands."

Derrick Davey (2MBS-FM 102.5)
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"Downside Up" has Andy Young on guitar, Hamish Stevenson on double bass, Sean Brady on drums and Kelly Ottaway on piano and vibes. A typical bebop combo with horns replaced by the warm, somber, punchy sounds of guitar in the style of Wes Montgomery. Young's single line playing achieves a mellow and expressive tone and the groups warm ambience includes lucid vibes and rustling high-hats. Andy Young's compositions are both reverential and authentic due to the group's predisposition to the music, their individuality and their entirely impromptu recording. Downside Up was recorded over three sessions and invoved the artists playing together for the first time, the intention being 'to capture the freshness and spontaneity of a live performance'. The group achieves this to the point of materialising in your living room and lighting a few candles.....All the tunes have an uncanny familiarity which tempt the listener to tap their foot and anticipate the next spur-of-the-moment break on bass or drums. There is a charming modesty about Downside Up."

Dave Wilson, Hobart
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The first recording from the Andy Young Quartet "Downside Up" comes as no surprise. Andy has been playing and composing for many years but had not recorded previously. He has some very talented Tasmanian musicians in support - Sean Brady on drums, Hamish Stevenson on double bass and Kelly Ottaway on piano and vibes. At first hearing you are reminded of the early Shearing sound with the vibraphone featured. However the similarity stops there as Andy's compositions are modern in style and structure. All the tracks are Andy's own compositions. They are tuneful, easy to listen to and easy to recall. There are great solos from guitar, piano and vibes with solid but not intrusive support from bass and drums. I strongly suggest "Downside Up" be added to your Australian jazz collection and await Andy's next CD.

Brian Fane, jazz presenter Noosa Community Radio FM 101.3

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”Downside Up” the Andy Young Quartet
Hardrush Music HRDM0015

If you like your jazz “stirred” and not shaken then this is definitely one to add to your collection.

Recorded in Hobart, Tasmania (that’s right – Tassie!) guitarist Andy Young gets together with Kelly Ottaway piano and vibes, Hamish Stevenson bass, Sean Brady drums.

All 10 tracks on the album are originals by Andy Young, and are (surprisingly, for originals) very listenable.

The Jazz Man recommends this CD of easy listening jazz.

www.thejazzman.com.au

"...Beautiful jazz, strong on melody. Think Stan Getz or Coleman Hawkins, but with a vibes player. Unashamedly old school, but done very tastefully." (Kieran Stafford, Birdland Records, Sydney, Australia).

"...another great tribute to homegrown Australian jazz" (Desi D, Sunday Sessions 106.7FM)

"...a product to be proud of. Swingin', with very good performances." (Barry Ralph, jazz presenter 101FM)

"..one of the best Australian progresssive CDs in a long time." (Peter Linney, jazz presenter Coral Coast Radio 94.7FM)

"Brilliant!! ... a talented bunch of musos who swing like the clappers, dont crowd each other, pay respect to the music and, above all, sound like they [y'all] are having a damn good time."
(Roger Carpenter, jazz presenter KLFM 96.5, Bendigo)

"After one listen I put it straight into my playlist.Very impressive.Very Refreshing."(John Diegan, presenter "'The Breeze' 4MBS)
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Buy Andy Young Quartet CDs from these online stores:

Amazon
birdland records
Chaos
hardrush
HMV
fish fine music
Indie-CDs
play4me
whsmith
zavvi
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Digital Download sites for Andy Young Quartet:

akuma
amazon digital
emusic
itunes
Real/Rhapsody