Andy MacKenzie (4)

English jazz guitarist, born Dec. 29, 1957 in Manchester, U.K. Since starting in his Father's dance orchestra when only fourteen Andy has been a leading freelance player on all the fretted instruments for many years. His career to date includes countless tours, jingles (including the latest 'Django' Intercity commercial), TV, record and club dates in a variety of styles. His love of jazz however took him to New York in 1996 where he was introduced to the seven string guitar by Jimmy Bruno. Since then with help from Bucky Pizzarelli Andy has adopted it as his main instrument. A devotee of Django Reinhardt and the acoustic 'gypsy' guitar, Andy together with jazz violinist Chris Hayward leads one of the UK's most popular Grappelli-Reinhardt based groups. Andy is a recognised authority on this unique guitar style and writes the Gypsy Jazz column in the American publication 'Just Jazz Guitar' and has contributed articles, reviews and music to other magazines including 'Guitar Player' and British periodicals 'Jazz Rag' and 'String Jazz'. Andy is a partner in a modern recording studio in Cheshire and is co-owner in Crimson Records (9), a label devoted to jazz guitar. As a performer Andy has appeared recently with John Jorgenson, Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola and Adrian Ingram, with whom he is currently collaborating.