Andrew Velez

Since: 2005 | Location: New York City | Page Views: 38,944

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About Me

Velez is a freelance writer whose work appears in Time Out, Genre and AidsMeds.com.

The “gorgeous mosaic” of my life has included many years as a book publisher and editor, (Marlene DietrichÃ¯Â¿Â½s ABC, RKO Classic Screenplay Series, The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie, etc.) and an ongoing private practice as a psychoanalyst. I'm an educator, (The New School University), as well as guest lecturer at colleges, high schools and other organizations, and a freelance writer/editor. My longtime involvement with HIV activism began with participating in ACT UPÃ¯Â¿Â½s first demonstration in Wall Street in 1987. Currently I write regularly for www.AIDSMEDS.com, and remain dedicated to the ACT UP mission of “ending the AIDS crisis through direct, non-violent action.” Currently I am writing A LOTTA NERVE, a personal history of ACT UP and the HIV epidemic from the activist point of view. More recently I have become involved in working for SINGLE PAYER government healthcare to guarantee full coverage for everyone living in the United States. Writing liner notes for CDs is a favorite gig, and among those for whom I've written them are Ella Fitzgerald, Mildred Bailey, Fred Astaire, Buddy DeFranco, Rose “Chee-Chee” Murphy, Doris Day, Artie Shaw and Barbara Cook, as well as numerous cast recordings. Continuing to discover music that knocks me out is a neverending joy. It's what I call “living the dream.” Lately Mildred Bailey, Jimmy Rushing and Count Basie are doing it for me out all over again.