"Funky jazz" and "jazzy funk". Welcome to the sounds of the trombone in the world of funk and jazz and all that's hip.

13 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, ELECTRONIC: Funk



Details:
BIOGRAPHY

ANDY PIZZO
LEADER/TROMBONIST
âTHE ANDY PIZZO PROJECTâ

Andy Pizzo is âa trombonist of all stylesâ and is constantly aiming for new and improved levels of creativity in his playing and that of his jazz/funk combo. He is currently the leader/trombonist for the Baton Rouge based jazz/funk combo âThe Andy Pizzo Projectâ, the lead trombonist and featured soloist for the New Orleans based latin jazz/salsa band âVIVAZâ, the lead trombonist for the Baton Rouge big band âNed Fasullo and His Big Band Orchestraâ, trombonist and featured soloist for the funk/soul band âPHAT HATâ, and a free lance trombonist in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas as well as the Gulf South Region.
Not just a professional trombonist, Andy Pizzo is also a professional educator. After receiving his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from L.S.U. in the spring of 1999, he took over the band program at McKinley Middle Magnet School. From 2002 â 2005, he served as the director of the award winning band program at Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge, of which he was the 2003-2004 âTeacher of the Yearâ. Now, he is currently the director of bands at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School. He teaches all levels of band: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and jazz. Back in 2001, he was named a grand-prize winner in the Toyota Corporation/VH 1 music teacher contest titled âMaking Tracks with Camryâ. This was in reflection to his work with the hearing impaired in music education. Currently, Andy serves as the President-Elect of the Louisiana chapter of The International Association for Jazz Education and is also serving as the Jazz Chairman for the Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Andy Pizzo hails from Metairie, LA, and is currently 30 years old. He has studied with some of Louisianaâs best trombone players and has had the opportunity to play with many great musicians such as Mark Mullins and Craig Klein, of the trombone funk band Bonerama; Tito Puente Jr., son of the great timbalero Tito Puente Sr. and his latin jazz band; Poncho Sanchez, congero and latin jazz recording artist; Christopher Riddle, son of the big band leader, Nelson Riddle, whoâs orchestra backed up the great jazz singer Frank Sinatra; and many more.
Andy Pizzo is an established trombonist who aspires to continuously reach excellence in his own playing and whatever else that he puts his name and energies towards. His jazz/funk combo, âThe Andy Pizzo Projectâ (www.andypizzo.com;www.myspace.com/theandypizzoproject;www.myspace.com/andypizzo), has been around the Baton Rouge music scene for the past 6 years. Having an all-star line up of Baton Rouge musicians has allowed this group the chance to build itself and grow into the exciting group that it is today. They have had the opportunity to play many different venues around town, including performances at the 2005 and 2006 âFest For Allâ, which is an annually held downtown arts festival sponsored by The Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council.
Having just finished released their debut c.d., titled âBouncinââ, these guys are reaching new musical heights that they canât wait to share with the world. This c.d. has several guests performing with the group, most notably being former Harry Connick Jr.âs lead trombonist, Mark Mullins. Check out Andy Pizzo and âThe Andy Pizzo Projectâ as they jazz and funk their way to the top!