ANDY MIDDLETON
Saxophonist, Composer
Mariahilferstr. 1a/34
1060 Vienna, Austria
Telephone:  0043.676.715.2077
Email:  andy.middleton@chello.at
Website:  www.andymiddleton.com

“… an accomplished composer as well as a smart post-bop tenor saxophonist.”            
 The New York Times

 “A saxophonist with patient poise on the slow ones and fierce resolve on the fast ones.”                               The Village Voice (New York)

“… solos that demonstrate the absolute mastery of his saxophones, in emotional and technical terms. Every note hits the mark, but also reveals the notable feature of leadership, that nothing is done halfway.”           All About Jazz Italy

“A musician’s musician, just like it says in books.  The American living in Vienna spins fascinating webs of improvisation with long, drawn-out and intense melodies on the tenor saxophone that place him at the top of the international saxophone scene.  Great music.”                        Jazzthing (Germany)
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ANDY MIDDLETON is one of the very top-tier saxophonists and jazz composers living in Europe today. “One of the strongest tenor and soprano saxophonists on the scene,” says Randy Brecker,  Andy Middleton is a skilled improviser and composer whose breadth of expression ranges from fierce power to tender warmth, from lyrical beauty to rhythmic drive, which sounds contemporary and fresh while retaining a real sense of the saxophone lineage. His compositions, harmonically modern and melodic yet clearly rooted in the jazz tradition, provide the perfect setting. This unique voice as a player, arranger and composer has led jazz icons such as Ralph Towner, Kenny Wheeler and David Holland to collaborate with him. He has also performed and recorded with a long list of artists including Billy Hart, Maria Schneider, Richie Beirach, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Bill Evans, Lionel Hampton, Joey Calderazzo, John Abercrombie, Steve Rodby, Scott Colley, Adam Nussbaum, John Hollenbeck, Piotr Wylezoł, Piotr Wojtasik, and Fritz Pauer.

Born in Harrisburg, PA, Andy received his masters degree in composition at the University of Miami.  After nearly 20 years in the New York jazz scene, he relocated to Vienna, Austria in 2006, where he is Professor of Jazz Composition, Jazz Theory and Jazz Saxophone at the University for Music and Art of the City of Vienna.


SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS A LEADER
-- “Water and Sky”, Panorama Records, 2020
-- “Three Hearts, Three Minds”, Alessa Records, ALR 1018, 2011
-- “Between Worlds”, Prova Records, PR 1009-CD14, 2010
-- “The European Quartet Live”, Qrious Music, QRM 100-2, 2007
-- “Reinventing the World”, Intuition Music & Media 3310-2, 2003   
featuring Kenny Wheeler
-- “Nomad’s Notebook”, Intuition Music & Media 3264-2, 1999
featuring Ralph Towner and Dave Holland
-- “Terra Infirma”, Owl Records/EMI France 080-832998-2, 1995
    featuring Renee Rosnes
-- “Acid Rain”, Owl/Time Line 3819082, 1991
featuring Joey Calderazzo


MORE PRESS AND QUOTATIONS

“… an ace saxophonist, a generously skilled arranger and a socially dedicated artist."
Timeout New York

“Andy Middleton himself is in a class of his own. It is a must to hear, see and experience how he constructs, searches and propels his solos. I was reminded the whole time of a Wayne Shorter concert - the same energy, uncompromising playing and searching and bringing to light of the deepest and best in oneself.”    
www.draaiomjeoren.com      

“Middleton is an individual who manages simultaneously to think, feel, produce, teach, question, evolve, search and to be aware of it when he finds the thing that he has been searching for. While listening to Andy one realizes how jazz can reach a universal level as an art form, without getting lost in dull relationships with popular and traditional music. And something else too - the necessity of the soprano...Unbelievable tone and mastery!"    
JAZZ (Turkey)

 “One of the best things about being a record reviewer is when you come across a CD by someone you've never heard of, which turns out to be so enjoyable that it could even qualify for your year's best list.  Thoroughly recommended.”
Jazzwise Magazine                                                                                                         

“The European Quartet Live is an excellent album. The simplicity of that statement matches the music on the recording. What makes all of the numbers stand out is the wonderful work of Middleton, who is virtuosic in his tone, speed and concepts. His standmates are nearly as good, but he is the real star.”                                                 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Middleton is a resourceful player and a skilled writer and arranger for the octet, with a liking for rich, lush harmonies and radiant voicings. It lacks a little bit of devilishness for these ears, but it can’t be faulted when it comes to classy execution and musicianship.
      Jazzwise Magazine

 “…. his playing is consummate.  Middleton’s lines are thoughtful and symmetrical.  There’s pattern to his improvisation, and grace, so that following his solos is less likely to occasion surprise than satisfaction. This is a solid outing by four master musicians.”                                                                                                               Cadence                                                  
"There is one soloist who truly stands apart from the rest of the crowd, and that is Andy Middleton.”                                           Saxophone Journal, USA

 “Serendipitous, how a musician continues to grow. The European Quartet Live presents an Andy Middleton in top form, playing with his superb accompanists through a brilliant set balanced between lyrical melodic serenity and exciting freestyle excursions that is a true joy for a jazz fan.  Excellent.”                                                                                                                          Amazon.de

 “Andy Middleton is a modern jazz saxophonist who has warm and original tones on tenor and soprano. Although the music may be relaxed, plenty of sparks fly from Middleton's tenor (which sometimes hints a little at Joe Lovano or Michael Brecker) and his fluent soprano.”
Allmusic.com

 “Middleton shows signs of being more than "just any" improviser.  Middleton ... writes in a broadly euphonious harmonic language, with a natural tunefulness that engages the ear with exotic airs, but never strays too far from home.”                                                      Jazz Times (USA)

 “Andy Middleton affirms himself not only as a saxophone player but as a first class composer and arranger.”                               JAZZ Magazine, (France)                

MUSICIAN QUOTES ABOUT ANDY MIDDLETON

DAVID LIEBMAN:  “Andy Middleton represents the best of a new generation of jazz musicians.”

MICHAEL BRECKER: “Here is the sax player with the courage to pursue his own voice.  Here is improvising and writing in its best form - really pretty amazing!”

JOHN ABERCROMBIE: “Totally contemporary playing and writing with a real sense of the jazz tradition.  Excellent!”

RANDY BRECKER: “Andy Middleton is one of the strongest tenor and soprano saxophonists on the scene.  Check him out!”


SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY AS A SIDEMAN
- Leszek Kulakowski Quintet - “Copy & Insert”, Soliton, 2017
- John B. Williams - “Enchantment”, Alessa Records, 2017
- John B. Williams - “African Queen”, Alessa Records, 2014
- Piotr Wojtasik - “Old Land”, SO Jazz Records, 2013
- Owen Howard - “Drum Lore”, BJU Records, 2010
- Sparkle + Andy Middleton – “Playing Tricks”, ZeroZero Jazz, 2010
- Klemens Marktl/Flip Philip Sextet – “Open Sea”, ATS Records, 2010
- Ron van Stratum – “Swingin’ in the Swamp”, Mons Records, 2010
Sparkle + Andy Middleton – “Playing Tricks”, Zero Zero Jazz, 2010
Fritz Pauer Quintet - “Live in Porgy & Bess” - Pauer Music, 2008
- Maria Schneider Orchestra - “Concert in the Garden”, ArtistShare, 2004
- The NewYorkestra – “Urban Soundscapes”, Seabreeze Records, 2005
- The Fensters - “Jazz Music Vol. X”, A Records, 1996    
- The Fensters - “Jazz Music Vol. 1”, Arta Records, 1992
- Lionel Hampton - “Cookin’ in the Kitchen”, Gladhamp Records, 1990
- Ron van Stratum - “Plain View”, VIA Records, 1999
- Jens Wendelboe - “Energy Band, Vol. 2”, Nopa Records, 1992
- Randy Bernsen - “Mo’ Wasabi”, Zebra/MCA Records, 1986

AWARDS
- First Prize, Best Soloist, Best Arranger - 13th Europ’ Jazz Contest, Belgium (1991)
- Outstanding Jazz Soloist - Down Beat Magazine (1987)

GRANTS
- Bundeskanzleramt Austria Film Composition Grant (2014)
- Chamber Music America’s New Works: Creation and Presentation Grant                Program/ Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project (2004)
- National Endowment for the Arts Performance Grant (1996)
- Fund for US Artists at International Festivals (1992, 1993, 2003)
- Arts International (2005)
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) fiscal sponsorship (2006 – 2009)
- Brooklyn Arts Council performance grant (2006)