Keyboards

Back in 1977, the defining point for Andy was buying a Fender Rhodes and Fender Twin amp at age 17 courtesy of his dad to pay off a wager. They had a bet that Andy could not win the Technic Trophy 3 times needed to keep it forever. Now with Rhodes in hand, Andy joined the High School garage rock band Sabre. This was the start to an epic journey now landing him in Lights Out Chicago.

Andy grew up in Skokie attending Niles West High School. He played Sax and Trumpet for the school band and studied piano at the renowned Allen Swain Studio in downtown Evanston. Sabre was his first rock band playing songs from Styx, Zeppelin, Uriah Heap, Foreigner, Doobie Brothers and even UFO. The band was popular at High School dances especially Niles West.

College years were a different era. Andy latched on to May Raines and the Southern Express country band. Now he was playing Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Reba McEntire, Alabama and David Allen Cole. The band had moderate success including backup for Marshall Tucker Band at Summer Fest 1984. Then Andy’s life took a turn south to Dallas Texas in the mid 80’s. His employer at the time, Texas Instruments, formed a big band. Andy got the gig. He immersed himself with great Jazz standards.

During the 90’s, Andy had some interesting projects with The Chromatics, Sun Flurry, Random Access and others. However, his playing tapered off at the end of the 90’s. But back in 2003, Andy returned to the music scene with the Average Joe Band. He has also worked with other working bands like Twist of Fate and Mistaken Identity and Lights Out Chicago, as well as the house Keyboard player at Marks House of Rock in Wheeling. Andy was back to playing major events and clubs.