Bright, memorable Caribbean jazz originals performed by an inventive quintet of top musicians from Barbados and Martinique, featuring Andre Woodvine on alto and tenor saxes and flute.

10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, JAZZ: Latin Jazz



Details:
What do you get when you cross a Berklee trained Yorkshire jazz saxophonist with the island culture of Barbados, and add some of the top jazz musicians from the English and French Caribbean?
The answer is Citronella, a wonderful mixture of jazz styles and Caribbean flavour. Both lively and at times introspective, Citronella features Andre Woodvine on saxophones and flute as he explores his original compositions that reflect his many influences, (Paul Desmond, Charlie Parker, and Stan Getz to name a few!). Woodvine's memorable compositions and thoughtful improvisations capture the warm rhythms and phrasing associated with the best Caribbean jazz.
Accompanying Andre are Barbadians Adrian Clarke on piano, and Errol Bradshaw on drums, along with Martinique's Alex Bernard on bass and his brother Nicol Bernard on Percussion. Pianist Adrian Clarke contributes his Bajan jazz standard "Roxy Roundabout" and the touching ballad "To love again".

Lee Prosser of Jazzreview.com writes;
"If this CD is any indication, Andre is poised for major recognition in the world of jazz. He will not be ignored for much longer. One of my favorite CDs so far this year, and sure to make my year end list."
The entire review can be found at:
http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=2077

Andre's early experience with improvisation began in a junior high school band; "We would try to vary the melody without our teacher noticing." Says Andre. Woodvine's interest in jazz blossomed when he attended Berklee College Of Music, and in 1986, he graduated with a Performance Degree (Honors) majoring in the alto saxophone. His interest in woodwinds extends to the tenor and soprano saxes, the flute and the Yamaha WX7 Midi Wind Controller.

Over the past Twenty years, Andre's music has taken him to stages across the Caribbean, North America and Europe where audiences have enjoyed his passionate tone, exciting improvisations and unique compositions. In 1992 Andre won the Caribbean Song Competition with his original piece 'Hold You In A Song'. He has produced two CDs of original Caribbean Jazz, Voyager in 1995 and Citronella in 1998. In 1997 the Barbados Telephone Company featured Andre on a series of telephone credit cards recognising jazz musicians who have made a significant contribution to the Caribbean jazz scene.

Other highlights of Andre's career include a special one hour performance entitled "Jazz in the sun" broadcast frequently on BET the cable jazz channel. In 2001 Andre performed an original composition to an audience of millions across Canada on the popular Canadian television's Mike Bullard show. Woodvine's musical interests have extended to the development of Caribbean Jazz through education. In 1998 Andre assisted in the formation of the first associate degree of music program at the Barbados Community College, where he now teaches part-time.

Andre currently enjoys a close association with the Martinique jazz group Fal Fret with whom he has recorded two cds "Live at L'Atrium, (2002) and Blue Outremer (2003) Andre's recent activities include concerts in Martinique, the St. Lucia jazz festival, Guadeloupe, London England and the Barbados jazz and pan festivals. In 2003 Andre, in partnership with Stefan Van den Bossche released Coco Noel a CD of jazzy Christmas instrumental music. Woodvine's World on the Web (WWW.Andrewoodvine.com) is now Andre's home on the Internet where fans of his unique music can purchase CDs, and learn more about his upcoming activities.

Andre, his wife and two sons reside in the island of Barbados.