Andy Parsons is emerging as one of the most distinctive jazz composers and musicians of his generation. His music is accessible yet maintains a recognizable flair for often unexpected twists and turns. A new crop of Andy's compositions was recently released with "Flip," his third recording as a leader on the Sons of Sound label. The "Flip" band consists of John Patitucci (bass), Ben Monder (guitar), and long-time collaborator Gene Lewin (drums). Andy was selected in 2002 as a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, where he performed original music to the kudos of judges Wayne Shorter, George Coleman, and others. Andy was honored to have been included on the 2002 WKCR Musician's Show roster, which hosts guest artists on the historic Columbia University jazz radio station. The list of prior guests includes Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, and Chick Corea.

Andy's music has been described as "eclectic" by critic Ira Gitler and "masterful, full of wonderful colors and surprise twists and turns" by jazz great Bob Mintzer. Andy has achieved a unity of composing and playing that makes his work instantly recognizable and very much in demand. He is currently composing music to be featured in 2 upcoming A&E documentaries. In reviews, Andy's style of composition has been compared with that of Wayne Shorter, whom he cites as a strong influence. But his music is forging ahead and his goal is to present his listener with jazz music that is steeped in tradition, but borrows and extends elements of popular harmony and groove.

Parsons' resume as a sideman is impressive and ever-growing. He has toured America and Japan and worked with Rez Abbasi, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, Glenn Miller Orchestra, David Sanborn and Gil Goldstein, and David Berger's Duke Ellington Projects. His recorded work, in addition to 3 recordings of original music as a leader, includes recording with Michael Holober, Akira Tana, Jay Leonhart, and Broadway vocalist Jodi Stevens. Recently released recordings from Mr. Leonhart and Ms. Stevens feature Andy prominently.

Andy attended the Eastman School of Music where he taught jazz theory and earned his masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He also holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University. Among his most influential teachers are Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Mintzer, and Maria Schneider. As a student, Andy won numerous scholarships and awards including a first place finish in Downbeat magazine's student music competition. He is proud to be a BMI composer and music publisher via his publishing arm, Fundementia Music.

Parsons is pleased to announce the founding of his custom music scoring company, ScoreSmith, LLC. ScoreSmith specializes in original music for film, documentaries, and online media, and is currently engaged on projects from A&E Television, numerous commercial projects, and several independent films. Recently, Andy was honored to be named a finalist in the prestigious Turner Classic Music Young Film Composer Competition. Notable Hollywood film composers chose 10 aspiring composers pool of over 500. Andy is the staff composer for New York production company Barataria Productions.

Andy was the recipient of a 2004 grant from "Metet the Composer" for his composition "Miss Conception" which was comissioned by the Spela Sterle Dance Company. Their second collaboration, "Compound" was performed in 2005 and will be expanded into a full-evening piece for performance later in the year.

Among Andy's plans for the future are touring Europe with his groups and continuing to develop his film scoring and dance music portfolio. He is already at work on his next recording which will include an ambitious array of large-ensemble pieces.

Andy lives in the Boerum Hill section of Brooklyn, NY with his wife and daughter.