Chicago Tribune
Exuberant, swing-era jazz from guitarists Brown and Alden
It was one of the more joyous enagements of last year: Chicago guitarist Andy Brown collaborating with New York guitarist Howard Alden at the Green Mill, in Uptown. Though separated by geography and generations, thirty-something Brown and fifty-something Alden rejuvenated a buoyant brand of swing rhythm you don't encounter very often anymore. Yet Brown and Alden didn't merely mimic an earlier era in jazz history — they built upon it, tweaking harmonies and offering a freshness of spirit that transcended any particular period style. The exuberance of their performance developed from a musical relationship long in the making...
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DownBeat Magazine
CD Review "Far Away Places"
...they seem to have an exceptional telepathic rapport that obviates the need for complicated arrangements...van Nuis has a light, gorgeous and fairly delicate voice...Brown, a protégé of Cincinnati guitar master Kenny Poole, happens to be an uncommonly good player, with a modesty that brings to mind the fine Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert and a warmth suggestive of Joe Pass. Joined at the conjugal hip, Brown and van Nuis share a gift for melody and have plenty of rhytmic confidence. They project naturalness when phrasing, and their overall intelligence makes understatement and subtlety virtues. They also merit praise for the integrity informing their choice of songs from the past and for their personal involvement with a lyric...
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Chicago Tribune
Alden/Brown Quartet
Alden and Brown captured the exuberance and optimism of this music...The sheer headlong momentum of this music-making easily captured attention and simply never let go. Moreover, both Alden and Brown acquitted themselves as tasteful, musical players. For all their easygoing virtuosity they placed the emphasis on musical phrase rather than pyrotechnics...The way the two guitarists played off of one another suggested that their partnership ought to continue...
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Just Jazz Guitar
Interview
I like playing for audiences and interacting with people who like music. I think it's in our job description - making music for people. I think when you see me, or others playing this kind of music, you get authenticity. We, as artists, have found our medium. We've put honesty and authenticity above versatility and I believe our audience benefits from it...
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Guitar International
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Brown is always right there when Van Nuis takes an unexpected turn on the melody or twist of the time in a rubato section... Brown never gets caught up in trying to do too much... Instead he manipulates the harmony through a diverse range of textures that provides comfort for the singer, as well as interest for the audience. This is where the spirit of Joe Pass can be felt in Brown’s playing. Not in his note choices or incredible chops, but in his ability to let the accompaniment breathe and react to Van Nuis. It’s no wonder Brown has been making a name for himself as one of Chicago’s rising young jazz guitarists...
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All About Jazz
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Always mindful of the melody, Brown manages to wrap his rich harmonic style in a unhurried feel that calls to mind the spirit of George Van Eps...Brown's dexterous playing really jumps off the disc with its crisp, steady feel that mixes walking bass lines, pulsing chord melodies and even some open string drone passages. Brown's playing throughout is filled with a vibrate fluidity that defines the album and keeps the ear interested track after track...
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Jazz Podium (Germany)
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown have found their own way to the magical musical dialogue, which can only partially be described as blind understanding. Andy Brown proves to be a technically accomplished guitarist with perfect timing and an incredible wealth of harmonies. He almost telepathically follows his wife’s vocal lines and subtly connects playing individual notes and chords. This duo album with wonderfully relaxed music is an invitation to dream and listen...
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Midwest Record
CD Review "Far Away Places"
A vocal/guitar duo set by two long time fellow travelers shows that elegance and simpatico can go a long way. It ain’t about the fireworks, it’s about the purity of the performance and that’s what makes this one of those great, low key wonders. When you’ve got it going on, you’ve got it going on and this duo is one of the most ripping good new duos to come along. Check it out when your adult listening ears need something new to fill them...
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Die Rheinpfalz (Germany)
Highly Emotional Classics - American Duo Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown at the Neustadt Jazz Club with Popular Standards
It very quickly became clear what a brilliant guitarist Andy Brown is and what an individual style he has developed in the course of his life as a musician...Brown is capable of presenting his complicated arrangements so that the listener often has the impression that three musicians are playing simultaneously, namely a bass, a rhythm and a solo guitarist....
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Weisloch Woche (Germany)
Jazz Brunch With Petra and Andy
Andy Brown proved to be a topnotch guitarist, whose sensitive and varied accompaniment ingeniously supports his partner. His virtuoso solos were repeatedly followed by thunderous applause. After this performance it became clear to everyone why a mega-star like Barbra Streisand recently chose this exceptional musician to be in her band for a major television appearance....
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Jazz Lives
Petra and Andy Reward Us
Andy could cover the fingerboard, digits a blur, if he chose to. But he knows better. So his playing unfolds beautifully in its own song, no matter what tempo or what chords. He loves melody; he can swing any band several steps closer to Heaven with his chordal strum, and he is an absolutely flawless team-player, never fixated on the limelight...
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Jersey Jazz
CD Review "Far Away Places"
One of my favorite vocalists of all time was Beverly Kenney...when I started to listen to Far Away Places by vocalist PETRA VAN NUIS and guitarist ANDY BROWN, I was reminded of Kenney, and particularly of the album that she made with the legendary guitarist Johnny Smith. As I continued to listen, I became more impressed with both van Nuis and Brown. They have selected a program that is tasty, comprised of tunes that are not overdone, and includes a few surprises...This recording will find an immediate place in my stack of must hear again and again discs...
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Jazz Guitar Society of Western Australia
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Andy Brown is a talented guitarist originally from Cincinnati who was influenced by two great guitarists from that city, Cal Collins and our late member Kenny Poole...Andy gets a chance to display his solo guitar talents on “Bim Bom” and you would swear it was two guitars playing. This is a fine duo CD of two talented youngsters who are carrying on the tradition. Andy is a fine mainstream player to watch out for in the future.
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Jazz Weekly
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Here is a charming, unassuming and completely guileless cd by vocalist Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown. Relaxed, defenseless and disarmed, van Nuis’ salt water taffy of a voice blends with Brown’s erudite picking...With the Spartan arrangement, they give extra feel and intimate depth... This CD will remind you of the old adage that “less is more.” Read more

Chicago Jazz Magazine
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Brown has such a vast repertoire of varied guitar techniques and textures at his command that his ability to choose between them and employ the correct ones with impeccable timing might be his greatest talent of all. But I suggest you pay special attention to the dynamics of his guitar performance...
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JazzChicago.net
CD Review "Far Away Places"
This world of innocence, romance and peaceful melodies is carried by van Nuis' honeyed voice and Brown's exceptional old-school guitar support (who needs a rhythm section? - check out his bass lines on Cole Porter's "From This Moment On" - there are bass players who would kill to play that well)...
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Old Jazz Express
CD Review "Far Away Places"
This is their first CD done exclusively as a couple. An initial reaction might perhaps be to question: "Isn't this risky?" I can, however, immediately reassure you that this is a beautiful CD. Because both listen to each other very well, their CD is wholly balanced...While sitting by the fireplace with a good drink in hand, I will often insert this CD into my player. Then I will dream...
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JazzPage.com
CD Review "Far Away Places"
Petra Van Nuis and Andy Brown are an engaging guitar-vocal duo. Together, the blend of the two creates warm sound and mood that is hard to ignore. The musical chemistry of voice and guitar is truly special and not to be missed by fans of both instruments... Read more

All Music Guide
CD Review "Far Away Places"
There's a starkness to Far Away Places — an album that features nothing but lone vocal and guitar — that, rather than give the music a spare quality, instead brings out the richness of the performances...Andy Brown is not about flash and dazzle but about nuance and tastefulness...
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Jazz Lives
Petra van Nuis/Andy Brown Chautauqua 2009
Andy impressed me immediately with his lovely chording, subtle melodies, and generous accompaniment. Many guitar players spatter the room with notes, gangster-style: Andy makes music. He has a lovely tone and a quiet pulse...
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Chicago Jazz Magazine
March-April 2009
The Best Musical Mondays In Chicago are Not Downtown
His guitar playing is always melodic, understated, and involving; drawing the audience in with multiple techniques and textures instead of the guitar pyrotechnics that other players like to show off with....
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Jazz Journal International Magazine
November 2008
CD Review "Trio and Solo"
Brown is always interesting and this CD should appeal to all those who like to hear inventive soloing and still like to recognize the tune. This CD might be hard to find but very well worth any effort you might have to make...
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Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
May 2008
CD Review "Trio and Solo"
Andy Brown is another example of why Chicago is becoming a hot spot for world class jazz guitarists…With his strong sense of tradition and the imagination to carry it forward, Brown will definitely be a name to keep an eye on...
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JazzChicago.net
CD Review "Trio and Solo"
His sensitive and emotional playing will have the listener cheering for more. Quite a nice album, one with actual "songs" in the classic sense, as well as one that presents a welcome return to utilizing the guitar as an instrument in service to the melody of these great songs...
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Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club
October 2007
CD Review "Trio and Solo"
Andy Brown is much more than a very practiced jazz musician - he's the real thing and havin' fun doing it ...
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Chicago Jazz Magazine
Nov/Dec 2007 Issue
CD Review "Trio and Solo"
Brown has an understated style whereby less is clearly more. That's not to say that he doesn't have fantastic chops. He can rip it up as easily as anyone. Yet his dedication is firstly to clean, thoughtful musicality, rather than just showy flash...
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Chicago Jazz Magazine
July/August 2006
The Invasion of the Cincinnati Kids
Andy, who is currently performing at star-making clubs like the Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, and various jazz destinations in between, is fast becoming one of Chicago's hottest guitarists...
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Rick Kogan Interview on WGN
WGN's Rick Kogan interviews Andy and Petra about
their new CD "Far Away Places" on his "The Sunday Papers" show
Listen

WVXU Radio Tribute to guitarist Kenny Poole
Listen at WVXU site

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