American trumpeter and composer Andre Canniere has worked with artists such as Maria Schneider, Bjorkestra, Donny McCaslin and Darcy James Argue. He has appeared on stage at Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Symphony Space and The Jazz Gallery and has toured widely throughout the United States and Europe, including performances at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Hague Jazz Festival, BimHuis in Amsterdam and the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
In 2008 Andre relocated from New York to London where his profile is steadily rising, both as a leader and a collaborator. Aside from performing with his own group, he has also worked with Lizzy Parks, Nostalgia 77, Ingrid Laubrock, Jasper Hoiby, Dekata Project and Today Is Boring at venues such as Blackheath Concert Halls, The Vortex, Pizza Express and The 606 Club.
Canniere’s first solo recording was released in 2006 on Omatic Records and he has appeared on numerous recordings as a session musician. A new album of original music is due for release in January 2012 on the London-based jazz label, Whirlwind Recordings.
Canniere is also a composer whose music often crosses the traditional boundaries of genre and classification, infusing jazz and classical styles and drawing inspiration from folk, rock and pop music. His arrangements have been featured on film, most recently with Union Exchange (Sony Music) for the 4.3.2.1 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Andre received his first commission in 2007 from the Astoria Music Society to arrange a work featuring the music of Cole Porter for symphony orchestra and solo soprano. Two of his compositions are featured on pianist Toby Koenigsberg’s 2007 release, Sense (Origin Records). Recently he has been commissioned by St. Peter’s in New York City to compose a jazz mass scored for a 15 piece ensemble.
In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Andre enjoys an active career as a music educator. Currently, Andre teaches at the Highgate School and Trinity College of Music in London and previously was a teaching assistant at the Eastman School of Music where he received his Masters degree in Jazz Performance, and as an instructor at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. He also teaches privately, works as an adjudicator, and presents master classes at schools and universities.
Press Quotes:
Trumpeter Andre Canniere is yet another young musician who
seeks to make music that not only draws on the worlds of
Jazz, but also of Rock and elsewhere... the compositions are
a far cry from the staid template contained on many Jazz
records... harmonic drama and consistently shifting rhythmic
sequences.
-Cadence Magazine
André Canniere's debut is aural evidence that good things can
descend from the Ivory Tower... As of Yet is a strong opening
statement from Canniere, who has immersed himself in the
New York scene with everyone from Maria Schneider and
Donny McCaslin... His debut gives listeners a reason to wait
at the bottom of the Ivory Tower to see what else might come
down from the hallowed halls of academia.
-All About Jazz
Canniere's music is a blend of electric and acoustic sounds,
open to the pop/rock attitude and phraseology with trades
through the indie routes. His compositional style draws from
several contemporary influences including Dave Douglas,
Michael Brecker and Bill Frisell, as well as Radiohead, often
refering to both large and small ensemble traditions.
-Jazz and Tzaz
Canniere is at his best...long melodies that unfurl majestically
before suddenly flaring up and melancholy ballads both sit
easily on top of often complex rhythmic and harmonic
patterns.
-be.jazz
