andy statman on NPR

[sam b]

There was a nice piece on Andy Statman on NPR's Weekend Edition this past Sunday. Although the sound clips were mostly of Andy on clarinet, there was one from his new mandolin CD of a very jazzed up version of Bluegrass Stomp. For me, Statman is THE jazz mandolin player. He's got the language and the timing better than anyone else (again, in MY opinion).

The reporter focused a lot on how for Andy, when playing music, the music is all that matters. He could be playing for one person or one hundred. It doesn't matter. There was also a part about how he's made all the almost-completed albums and they've just been put aside, for one reason or another.

You can listen to the interview here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=6092006

Best,
Sam

[John Rosett]

thanks so much for pointing that out. andy truly is one of the great musicians of our time. it IS frustrating that there's so much music that he's recorded and shelved. but, you have to have alot of respect for someone so brilliant that only cares for the art, with almost no interest in the money(probably drives his wife crazy, though ) i plan on buying several copies of his new mandolin album and sending them to friends that don't know about him.

[Don Grieser]

I just listened to it too. Thanks for the heads up on it. I got to see him at RockyGrass a couple years ago with his trio. Started out on clarinet then shifted to mandolin. It was fabulous. I'm so upset I can't find the minidisc that I recorded of that performance. It was something special. I'm looking forward to his new CD.

[DMC]

'For me, Statman is THE jazz mandolin player. He's got the language and the timing better than anyone else (again, in MY opinion).'

Well said. For me when I hear either Statman or Stiernberg I think 'there's a jazz player' rather than 'there's a mandolin player playing jazz...'

[luckylarue]

I think I'd add that Statman is THE blues mandolin player, as well. Give a listen to his live version of East Virginia Blues from the cd, On Air, for some of the finest mando blues playing . Incredible passion and feel.

[Don Grieser]

He starts out his Jazz Mandolin instructional material with a Monroe style blues that just captures the whole essense of the Monroe style too. It rocks.

[Santiago]

I gotta hear whatever it is he recorded with Richard Thompson (according to the NPR story)!!!!!

[kmmando]

I've always thought Andy was the greatest modern mandolin player, full stop. He's quite supreme. Only my opinion, don't shoot me down, just love his playing!

Kevin

[Jim Garber]

For those interested in klezmer music: Andy will be at KlezKamp this year along with Barry Mitterhoff and Jeff Warschauer -- triple-threat of klezmer mandolin playing.

There will be more information at that link is a week or so.

Andy will lead a master class in both clarinet and mandolin. Barry will lead a mandolin orchestra class.

Jim