Andreas Varady Andreas Varady

• 1 Do It Again 05:10
• 2 Come Together 03:59
• 3 Human Nature 04:06
• 4 Baby 02:48
• 5 Secret Garden 06:08
• 6 A Day In New York 04:53
• 7 Don't Stop The Music 03:56
• 8 Nuages 06:14
• 9 California Dreamin' 04:25
• 10 Let The Good Times Roll 02:58
• 11 After Seven In Beijing 05:31
• 12 Swing 42 03:24
• Total Runtime 53:32

Info for Andreas Varady

Andreas Varady, a jazz-guitar prodigy who has caught the eye of Toto’s David Paich, begins this inventive take on a Steely Dan classic with an approach straight out of the thumb-riff playbook of Wes Montgomery. And for most of two minutes, he stays right there. “Do It Again” has been transformed into something witty and urbane, not unlike the pop reimaginings of Montgomery himself into the late 1960s.

Only Varady takes a sharp left turn thereafter, toward the wide uncharted territory of open-ended improvisation. It’s there, across this song’s middle, that we get a glimpse into what makes this teen such a celebrated new figure. In this moment, as Varady makes trickling runs and then swoopingly emotional asides, he doesn’t sound like anybody but himself. His bright future becomes viscerally real.

Elsewhere on Andreas Varady, the youngster moves with confidence and panache between Django Reinhardt (both “Nuages” and “Swing 42”) and similar pop-jazz reworkings of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and the Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin’,” illustrating a range as remarkable as the guest stars who appear on this Verve debut.

Roy Hargrove helps reconstruct “Secret Garden,” a song co-written by Quincy Jones, who has taken Varady as something of a protege. Also on board for Andreas Varady: Gregory Porter (singer on Louis Jordan’s “Let the Good Times Roll”); drummers Harvey Mason and Dave Weckl; and several performers with connections to co-producer Paich’s band Toto — including Steve Lukather, Greg Phillinganes and Nathan East. “Human Nature” was, of course, co-written by Toto’s Steve Porcaro, as well.

That the Slovakian-born guitarist is only 17 and a precociously gifted technician is the hook here. It starts promisingly with a cool George Benson-inspired soul-jazz take on Steely Dan's ‘Do It Again’ followed by a pacey Wes Montgomery-ish version of the Beatles' ‘Come Together’. Although the young guitarist continues to demonstrate a warm tone, sensitive touch and effortless virtuosity beyond his years, from there on there's a slide into a more forgettable, insipid brand of mainstream fusion, R&B and pop-styled jazz. Even so, his versions of Django Reinhardt's ‘Nuages’ and ‘Swing 42’ (he's a descendent of gypsy musicians) have a certain charm. Guest spots include Gregory Porter on the jump blues classic ‘Let the Good Times Roll’, no doubt designed to up the credibility factor. But don't take my word for it. The recording's producer Quincy Jones and the MOBO jury who nominated him for a jazz award this year think he's the man, or rather the boy. Nevertheless, as with other teen prodigies pushed prematurely into the spotlight, such as the trumpeter Christian Scott, it might be worth waiting to see how things pan out first.

Andreas Varady, guitar
Bandi Varady, bass
Adrian Varady, drums
Dirty Loops (track 4)
Kevin Ross, vocals (track 5)
Roy Hargrove, trumpet (track 5)
Nikki Yanofsky, vocals (track 7)
Gregory Porter, vocals (track 10)

Produced by Quincy Jones

Andreas Varady
is “one of the most talented people on this planet, who takes the music back to where it belongs,” says legendary music icon, Quincy Jones.

Within the past few years, a just-turned-16-year-old guitar sensation, Andreas Varady, has risen to the foreground of the jazz guitar arena. Andreas has played an impressive list of shows including: Bray Jazz Festival, Festival Django Reinhardt, Samoise, Sligo Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Derry Jazz Fest, Festival da Jazz, International Guitar Festival Santo Tirso, Newton Arts Guitar Festival, Riga Jazz Festival, Aalen Jazz Festival, Freiburf Jazz Festival, Ballidehob Jazz Fest, Innishowen Jazz Fest, Montreux Jazz Festival, New Caledonie Gypsy Jazz Fest, Dusseldorf Jazz Rally, Scareborough Jazz Fest, Rheingau Music Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, International Wiehler Jazz, Wigan Jazz Festival, Northside Music Festival, Zelt Music Festival, Ronnie Scotts, Pserov Jazz Festival, Oslo Jazz Fest, Bolzano Jazz Festival, Clifden Jazz Fest, Dingle Jazz Fest, Doonbeg Jazz Fest, Bay Jazz Fest, and others.

Andreas started his ascent to mastering jazz guitar at a very young age. Born of Hungarian Gypsy descent, Andreas was raised in a small town in Slovakia and first began to play the guitar at four years old, tutored by his father, Bandi. Andreas was taught to learn songs by ear; his first tune the “Blue Bossa” jazz standard, and from then on he has continued to pursue the world of jazz music. Andreas has idolized his guitar hero George Benson, and from his early years has often been compared to the guitar legend.

Andreas began to explore sharing his talent when his family moved to Ireland in 2007. At just 9 years old, Andreas would perform for the passerby’s of Limerick and Cork Ireland, busking on the streets. People were drawn to young Varady for his talent at such a young

Now based in Vienna, Austria, Andreas Varady remains one of the most exciting and innovative young voices in contemporary jazz. His journey from street performer to international recording artist is a testament to his passion, discipline, and undeniable talent.

This album contains no booklet.