Andrew York

Andrew York has had equal success as a composer and concert guitarist. In both realms he has deftly straddled two worlds: classical and crossover. His compositions typically mix classical music with folk and
ock elements and have attracted some of the foremost classical guitarists in the world, including John Williams, Christopher Parkening, and David Brandon. As a performer York became well known as a member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, a group for which he wrote many compositions and arrangements, a fair number of which were recorded. But even for the decade-and-a-half that he was a member of the LAGQ, York also appeared as a soloist in concert, typically drawing positive critical notice both at home and at international venues. York's works and performances are available on a variety of major labels, including EMI, Telarc, Sony, and Delos.
Andrew York was born in Atlanta, GA, in 1958. His father was a folk guitarist and his mother a singer. Young Andrew began playing the guitar at an early age, focusing on both classical and folk music.
York earned a bachelor's degree in music at James Madison University in Virginia and a master's at the University of Southern California. He had further advanced studies in Spain. In his student years he had developed interest in both
ock and jazz styles, but without ever abandoning classical.
York met guitarist John Williams at a 1986 concert in Spain given by York, and Williams was impressed with York's composition Sunburst. Williams played it in concert and eventually recorded it. Later on, Williams also played and recorded York's Lullaby.
York's first solo album, Perfect Sky, was issued in 1989 on the Timeless Records label. The following year he joined the LAGQ, remaining with the group until 2006. During that time he made a half-dozen or so recordings with the ensemble, most achieving good sales and critical plaudits.
Meanwhile, he continued to both write music and appear in solo concerts. The duets Virtu and Evening Dance, both from the early '90s, became quite popular, the latter reaching disc via the performance of Christopher Parkening and David Brandon.
York also enjoyed considerable success as a solo recording artist during his LAGQ years. Since 2006 York has focused on composition and his solo career. Among his later recordings is the 2006 Majian Music CD Hauser Sessions, which contains a collection of 16 works by York. ~ Robert Cummings, All Music Guide