Andrew Nixon

As a child, Andrew began classical piano lessons with the late Suzanne Chapin, which he eventually quit, explaining to his parents that he did not like being told what to play. He spent the remainder of his childhood teaching himself, improvising, copying the classical music that he heard his sisters learning, and playing the trombone in various grade school ensembles.  

After several years playing keyboards in rock and blues bands around Buffalo and Rochester NY, he discovered jazz in 2006 and began studying with pianist/composer Paul Hofmann (Eastman School of Music). Now fully devoted to music, he went on to earn a master’s degree in music theory in 2012 from the University of Buffalo, where he also studied classical piano and composition.  After performing countless times in festivals and clubs in and around western New York, he began shifting his focus to composition in 2020.  

Andrew has recorded two trio albums of original compositions with the group "Nixon, Croft and Goretti."  The first, titled “In Congruence,” was released in February 2021.  The second, titled "Outside Agitators," is scheduled for release in 2024.  Paul Hofmann on "Outside Agitators":  "Nixon’s eight new tunes are in turn thoughtful and introspective; at times harmonically and melodically surprising; always singing; above all SWINGING".  Also coming in 2024 is a solo piano album titled "Other Ways."  Recorded in 2023, this album features solo piano versions of previously recorded originals, as well as 6 new compositions.     

​In addition to performing, composing and recording, Andrew is also a private piano teacher with a current roster of 40+ students.  ​

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