The Andy Pizzo Project brings a mix of funk and jazz to the music scene. Having their music referred to as "funky jazz" and "jazzy funk", this group takes their dynamics to the extreme. Fronted by trombonist Andy Pizzo, and backed up by a powerhouse rhythm section, this band takes their ideas and lays down a groove for all to jam to. The band is located in Baton Rouge, LA, and has played extensively throughout south Louisiana. Their debut c.d. "Bouncin'" features several guest artists and various styles of the jazz/funk genre.
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The c.d. is available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com underneath "The Andy Pizzo Project".
Andy Pizzo Bio
Andy Pizzo is a "trombonist of all styles” and is breaking the boundaries of creativity in his composing and performing with his jazz/funk combo. He is currently the leader/trombonist for the Baton Rouge based jazz/funk combo “The Andy Pizzo Project”, the lead trombonist for the New Orleans based Latin jazz/salsa band “VIVAZ”, the lead trombonist for the Baton Rouge big band “Ned Fasullo and His Big Band Orchestra”, trombonist for the Baton Rouge based funk/soul band “PHAT HAT”, and a freelance trombonist in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Gulf South areas.
Not just a professional trombonist, Andy Pizzo is also a professional educator. After receiving his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from LSU in the spring of 1999, he took over the band program at McKinley Middle Magnet School. From 2002 – 2005 he served as the director of the award winning band program at Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge, of which he was the 2003-2004 “Teacher of the Year”. Now he is currently the director of bands at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School. He teaches all levels of band: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and jazz. Back in 2001, he was named a grand-prize winner in the Toyota Corporation/VH1 music teacher contest titled “Making Tracks with Camry”. This was in reflection of his work with the hearing impaired in music education. Andy serves as the President-Elect of the Louisiana chapter of The International Association for Jazz Education and is also serving as the jazz chairman for the Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Andy Pizzo hails from Metairie, LA, and is currently 30 years old. He has studied with some of Louisiana’s best trombone players and has had the opportunity to play with many great musicians such as Mark Mullins and Craig Klein, formerly of Harry Connick Jr.’s big band, and their New Orleans based trombone funk band Bonerama; Tito Puente Jr., son of the great timbalero Tito Puente Sr. and his Latin jazz band; Poncho Sanchez, congero and Latin jazz recording artist; Christopher Riddle, son of the big band leader, Nelson Riddle, whose orchestra backed up the great jazz singer Frank Sinatra; and many more. Andy has also had the opportunity to perform in many different cities across the country including: Austin, TX; Brownsville, TX; Las Vegas, NV; and New York, NY, just to name a few. Andy has performed at many different festivals with The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival being his favorite.
Andy Pizzo is an established trombonist who aspires to continuously reach excellence in his own playing and anything else that he puts his name and energies towards. His jazz/funk combo, “The Andy Pizzo Project” (www.andypizzo.com; www.myspace.com/theandypizzoproject), has been around the Baton Rouge music scene for the past 6 years. Having an all-star line up of Baton Rouge musicians has allowed this group the chance to build itself and grow into the exciting group that it is today. They have had the opportunity to play many different venues around town, including performances at the 2005, 2006 and 2007 “Fest For All”, which is an annually held downtown arts festival sponsored by The Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council. Having just released their debut c.d. titled “Bouncin”, these guys are reaching new musical heights that they can’t wait to share with the world. This c.d. has several guests performing with the group such as Mark Mullins, leader of Bonerama. Check out Andy Pizzo and “The Andy Pizzo Project” as they jazz and funk their way to the top!