Researching Wayne Andre

Andre's father was a saxophonist, and he took private music lessons from age 15. He played with Charlie Spivak in the early 1950s before spending some time in the U.S. Air Force. In 1955 he joined the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, and in 1956 played with Woody Herman. From 1956 to 1958 he played with Kai Winding and attended the Manhattan School of Music. He composed his "Nutcracker" and arranged "The Preacher" for the Kai Winding septet while performing with the septet. In the 1960s, he performed with Gerry Mulligan's first Concert Jazz Band, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra, and Clark Terry's big band. He joined the "Mission to Russia" with Benny Goodman in 1962. He also played with Urbie Green, Art Farmer, Roy Ayres, and Carl Fontana.

After settling in New York City, Andre became a sought-after studio sideman and soloist. His solos may be heard on such albums as Liza Minnelli's "More Than You Know" on Liza with a Z, Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run and "Blue Turk" on Alice Cooper's School's Out album. The New York Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Andre with the Most Valuable Player Award in 1982 and 1986. During this time he also played with Lynn Welshman's Tentet, The Mingus Big Band and The Epitaph Band, Jaco Pastorius' "Word of Mouth" band and many others. He also performed with his own quintet, which included musicians Marvin Stamm, Pat Rebillot, Ron Zito, Jay Leonhart; and his septet, which included Matt Finders, Keith O'Quinn, and Jim Pugh. Later, Andre enjoyed performing with his own big band, the Illinois Jacquet Band and Mike Longo's New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble.

Wayne Andre also continued to write music throughout his life. His composition "Ayo" was recorded by Bill Watrous with The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge Band. He premiered his composition for trombone and symphony orchestra, "The Rise and Fall of Love," with the Oslo Big Band Orchestra in Norway.