Andrew G. McKee (born November 11, 1953) is a New York-based, American bassist who has been performing and recording in North America, South America, Europe, and Japan since 1978. McKee's most important rhythm section mentors have included

Philly Joe Jones Joseph Rudolph "Philly Joe" Jones (July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was an American jazz drummer. Biography Early career As a child, Jones appeared as a featured tap dancer on ''The Kiddie Show'' on the Philadelphia radio station WIP. He wa ...

Elvin Jones Elvin Ray Jones (September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004) was an American jazz drummer of the post-bop era. Most famously a member of John Coltrane's quartet, with whom he recorded from late 1960 to late 1965, Jones appeared on such widely celebrate ...

and Idris Muhammad. He travelled widely in Europe with both Elvin Jones and with French pianist

Michel Petrucciani Michel Petrucciani (; ; 28 December 1962 – 6 January 1999) was a French jazz pianist. From birth he had osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disease that causes brittle bones and, in his case, short stature. He became one of the most accomplish ...

. He played for about a decade with the

Mingus Big Band The Mingus Big Band is a 14-piece ensemble, based in New York City, that specializes in the compositions of Charles Mingus. It was managed by his widow, Sue Mingus, along with the Mingus Orchestra and Mingus Dynasty. In addition to its weekly Monda ...

and has had his own groups. He is the author of two books on

upright bass The double bass (), also known simply as the bass () (or by other names), is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed (or plucked) string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra (excluding unorthodox additions such as the octobass). Similar ...

technique and has taught at

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music School of Jazz and Contemporary Music is the second conservatory of The New School. It is located on West 13th Street in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood. It was known as The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music before it wa ...

since 1993.

Life and career

Born in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

, McKee first studied piano and alto saxophone before turning to the double bass at age 14. Among his teachers were

Homer Mensch Homer Mensch (November 14, 1914 in Sussex, New Jersey – December 9, 2005 in Manhattan, New York) was a prominent classical bassist who was a former member of the Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the New York Pops, and the NBC ...

, Richard Davis and Al Stauffer. McKee's first significant jazz mentor was drummer Philly Joe Jones. McKee joined the Philly Joe Jones Quartet, performing and touring the US and Canada in 1979-80.Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler (1999)
"McKee, Andy (Andrew G.)"
''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'', p. 85. Oxford University PressLewis Porter (2001)

''

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians ''Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians'' is a major reference work in the field of music, originally compiled by Theodore Baker, PhD, and published in 1900 by G. Schirmer, Inc. The ninth edition, the most recent edition, was published in 2 ...

''. Gale Group. Online version retrieved 7 February 2015 . Andy, Doug, Mike and Luis listening to playback

McKee's first European tour was of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany with the Walt Dickerson Trio in the late 1970s; he is heard on two live recordings released after the tour by Steeplechase in 1978 and 1980. In 1980, McKee moved to New York City, and his long partnership with master drummer Elvin Jones began. McKee's first major engagement with the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine was in April 1983 at the Village Vanguard. He went on to be the staff bassist with the Jazz Machine, touring Europe and the US from 1986-91. In 1984, McKee moved to Paris, and began to perform and tour with Chet Baker, Mal Waldron and Steve Grossman among others. In the years between 1986 and 1991, Andy toured the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan as the regular bassist in the Michel Petrucciani Group with drummer Victor Jones. He joined Hank Jones, Slide Hampton, Satolu Oda and

Lewis Nash Lewis Nash (born December 30, 1958) is an American jazz drummer. According to ''Modern Drummer'' magazineNashhas one of the longest discographies in jazz and has played on over 400 records, earning him the honor of Jazz's Most Valuable Player ...

on two recordings made during a tour of Japan in 1994. Back in New York starting in 1991, McKee was for ten years the bassist and part-time musical director of the Mingus Big Band, playing weekly engagements at NYC's Time Café, touring worldwide and playing on numerous recordings. Working with

Dave Stryker Dave Stryker (born March 30, 1957) is an American jazz guitarist. He has recorded over twenty-five albums as a leader and has been a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Career Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebr ...

, Steve Slagle and Manolo Badrena, he helped form the band Trio Mundo, which released two albums. McKee has also formed his own groups, leading colleagues in recording ''One World'' (1997) and ''Sound Roots'' (2002). McKee has appeared on the recent releases of trombonist Luis Bonilla. He has recorded with composer and pianist

Peter Madsen Peter Langkjær Madsen (; born 12 January 1971) is a Danish convicted murderer and former entrepreneur. In April 2018, he was convicted of the 2017 murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall on board his submarine, ''UC3 Nautilus'', and sentenced ...

and taken part in several big band ventures including an arrangement of Charles Ives' music by Jack Cooper. McKee has been a faculty member at

in New York City teaching bass, improvisation and Mingus repertory since 1993. McKee has two books published by

Hal Leonard Corporation Hal Leonard LLC (formerly Hal Leonard Corporation) is an American music publishing and distribution company founded in Winona, Minnesota, by Harold "Hal" Edstrom, his brother, Everett "Leonard" Edstrom, and fellow musician Roger Busdicker. Curre ...

, ''Jazz Bass on Top'' (2011) and ''101 Upright Bass Tips'' (2014). McKee lives in Montclair, New Jersey.

Discography

As leader *''One World'' 2002 (Cap Records 965) Andy McKee with Idris Muhammad, Joe Locke, Alex Foster, Badal Roy, Milton Cadonna, Kenny Werner. *''Sound Roots'' 1997 ( Mapleshade 04432) Andy McKee & NEXT with Ed Cherry, Alex Foster, Ryan Kisor, Billy Kilson. Collaborations *Autumn in New York 2013 (AJM 24) René Boutlang and Andy McKee with Oliver Lake, Vic Juris, Billy Hart. *Trio Mundo Rides Again 2004 (ZM 200410) with Dave Stryker, Steve Slagel, Manolo Badrena. *Trio Mundo Carnaval 2002 (KWM 200204) with Dave Stryker, Steve Slagel, Manolo Badrena. *Earthbound Unity 1993 (LR 189) with Alexandros, Alex Foster, Victor Jones, Steve Thornton. As a sideman * Mists: Charles Ives for Jazz Orchestra 2014 (Planet Arts 101420) Arranged by Jack Cooper. *The Litchfield Suite: Peter Madsen Trio 2010 (PSR 080308) with Peter Madsen, Gerald Cleaver. *Twilight 2010 (NJM 300977) with Luis Bonilla, Bruce Barth, Ivan Renta, John Riley. *I Talking Now! 2009 (NJM 300977) with Luis Bonilla, Arturo O'Farrill, Ivan Renta, John Riley. *High Noon: The Jazz Soul of Frankie Laine 2008 (RSR 195) with Gary Smulyan, Dick Oatts, Pete Malinverni, John Clark and others. *Strike Up the Band 2008 (SCCD 31637) with Dave Stryker, Xavier Davis, Billy Hart. *Space Messengers: Wolfgang Schalk Quartet 2005 (EMARCY 987189-4) with Wolfgang Schalk, Dave Kikoski, Ian Froman. *Rainbows in the Night: Wolfgang Schalk Quartet 2002 (WEM 911501-2) with Wolfgang Schalk, Dave Kikoski, Ian Froman. *Tonight at Noon 2001 (DRYCD 36633) Mingus Big Band. *Blues and Politics 1999 (FDM 36603-2) Mingus Big Band. *Steve Grossman Quartet with Michel Petrucciani 1999 (FDM 36602-2) with Steve Grossman, Michel Petrucciani, Joe Farnsworth. *Que Viva Mingus 1997 (FDM36593-2) Mingus Big Band. *Mingus Big Band Live In Time 1996 (FDM 36603-2) Mingus Big Band. *Tarantula 1996 (ENJ 93022) with Daniel Schnyder and other artists. *Gun-slinging Birds 1995 (FDM 36575-2) Mingus Big Band. *Nostalgia in Times Square 1993 (FDM 36559-2) Mingus Big Band. *Three Saxophone Band Plays Mulligan 1997 (FDM 36588-2) with Ronnie Cuber, Nick Brignola, Garry Smulyan, Joe Farnsworth. *Keep In Touch: Jack Wilkins-Kenny Drew Quartet 1996 (Claves Jazz 50-1295) with Jack Wilkins, Kenny Drew, Jr. Akira Tana. *Satolism: The Great Jazz Quintet 1995 (TKCV 79096) with Hank Jones, Satolu Oda, Slide Hampton, Lewis Nash. *In a New York Minute: Ronnie Cuber Quartet 1995 (SCCD 31372) with Ronnie Cuber, Kenny Drew, Jr., Adam Cruz. *Minority Anyone: The Great Jazz Quintet 1995 (SRCL 3199) with Hank Jones, Satolu Oda, Slide Hampton, Lewis Nash. *A Second Look 1994 (Groovin High 523 799-2) with Ed Cherry, Kenny Barron, John Patton. *Music 1986 (BI 92563) with Michel Petrucciani, Victor Jones and others. *That’s Nice: The Barry Altschul Quartet/Quintet 1986 (SN 1151) with Barry Altschul, Glenn Ferris, Sean Bergin, Mike Mellilo. *Forgotten Tales: Doudou Gouirand featuring Don Cherry 1985 (VS 106) with Doudou Gouirand, Don Cherry, Cheikh Fall and others. *What it is to be Frank: Bill Kirshner Nonet 1982 (SB 2010) with Bill Kirshner, Doug Purviance, Ralph Lalama and others. With

Walt Dickerson Walter Roland Dickerson (April 16, 1928 – May 15, 2008) was an American jazz vibraphone player, most associated with the post-bop idiom. Biography Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Walt Dickerson graduated from Morgan State U ...

* ''

To My Queen Revisited ''To My Queen Revisited'' is an album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson's Quartet recorded in 1978 for the SteepleChase label.I Hear You John'' (SteepleChase, 1978) *'' To My Son'' (SteepleChase, 1980)

References

Further sources *Gregg Akkerman (2013)
''The Last Balladeer: The Johnny Hartman Story''
p. 206. Scarecrow Press *George Wirt (August 30, 2012)
"Montclair's Andy McKee believes in being a team player"
''The Montclair Times''. Retrieved 7 February 2015. *Henry Martin, Keith Waters (2011)
''Jazz: The First 100 Years''
p. 357. Cengage Learning *Michael Radford (2011)

Retrieved 7 February 2015. *Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, Brian Priestley (2004)
''The Rough Guide to Jazz''
p. 23.

Rough Guides Rough Guides Ltd is a British travel guide book and reference publisher, which has been owned by APA Publications since November 2017. In addition to publishing guidebooks, the company also provides a tailor-made trips service based on custome ...

*Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2002)
'All Music Guide to Jazz: The Definitive Guide to Jazz Music''
p. 513. Backbeat Books *Jazz Set with Branford Marsalis from National Public Radio,® Program 010531: "Michel Petrucciani Quartet, Detroit 1990." Aired between May 31 and June 14, 2001, WBGO/88.3FM, Newark, NJ.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:McKee, Andrew American jazz double-bassists Male double-bassists 1953 births Living people 21st-century double-bassists 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Mingus Big Band members Mapleshade Records artists