From his appearances with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, Brian Pastor Big Band and Philadelphia Orchestra to his live performances in front of thousands of people while regularly touring with legendary crooner Bobby Caldwell, Andrew Neu is one of the most exciting, multi-genre musicians today. Now, in his third solo CD release, it is indeed time for the world to “Try Something Neu.”
Try Something Neu (nuGroove Records) is packed with a colossal group of stellar all-stars that includes Bobby Caldwell, Brian Bromberg, Chuck Loeb, Brian Culbertson and Gerald Veasley. The respect toward Andrew by his peers is evident in the musical conversations you hear in each track of Try Something Neu. “The sheer amount of stellar guest-stars packed into this CD shows you just how much this young talent is already respected in the industry. The future is very bright for Andrew Neu,” said David Chackler, President/CEO of nuGroove Records.
The musical conversations that flow throughout the CD create an electric energy that rivals what fans would expect at a live concert. For instance, you can feel the heat of the interchange between Chuck Loeb (guitar) and Andrew Neu (tenor) at the start of the first track, “Chez Cool.” As the story unfolds, the excitement builds and all the listener can do is hold on tight.
The first track designated to go to radio in both vocal and instrumental only form, “The Next Time I Fall (In Love) offers a romantic interlude with Bobby Caldwell featured on the vocal release. When asked to share his thoughts on working with Neu, Bobby Caldwell said, “When he invited me to participate in “Next Time I Fall” I was not only flattered that he chose one of my tunes but honored that he would ask me to sing it.”
Another standout track is the funk-fortified “The Nut” with special guests Brian Bromberg (producer/bass) and Brian Culbertson (trombone). Offering a deliciously danceable groove with a full-horn arrangement, “The Nut” gives listeners a sneak peek into Neu’s life as “one bad cat” on the bandstand.
Try Something Neu is currently available for purchase at Amazon.com or via digital download at online retailers like iTunes.
More about the artist:
By blending a unique mix of jazz, R&B, classical and Latin music, Andrew Neu delivers a fresh sound to the contemporary music scene.
Andrew Neu is well-respected throughout the industry for his work as a saxophonist, woodwind player, arranger, composer and recording artist. Whether he’s in concert with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, a sideman with national headliners, or performing as a solo artist, Neu’s musicianship and engaging stage presence continue to get the audience’s attention.
Regularly touring the country with Bobby Caldwell, Neu has shared the stage with Sir Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mellissa Manchester, Mel Torme, Diane Schurr, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Four Tops, and The Temptations among others. He has also recorded as a soloist with Sister Sledge, Manhattan Transfer, and jazz legend Buddy DeFranco. As a soloist, Neu has appeared at major festivals that have featured prominent acts like Chris Botti.
Fueled by the success of his first album, Inspired (2000), Andrew released his second CD, In Clear View (2007), produced by bassist Brian Bromberg. It features performances by Jeff Lorber, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gerald Veasley and the Bright and Tight Horns.
As a longtime member of the Brian Pastor Big Band, he has been featured as a soloist and an arranger. More recently the Dave Stahl Band has been showcasing Andrew’s skills.
A graduate of Temple University’s Esther Boyer School of Music, he has performed with the Curtis Institute of Music Orchestra, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Scullers in Boston, Birdland in NYC and at the Liberty, Newport, Bermuda, St. Croix, Mellon and Lake George jazz festivals. Neu is a voting member of NARAS and the Grammy Awards.
Currently, Andrew Neu is booking concerts in support of his 2009 release, Try Something Neu (nuGroove Records) and continuing his work with the various touring and big bands he serves.