Andreas Varady

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 age and his lovable performing persona. As an outgoing and determined youth, Andreas reached out to Irish drummer and producer David Lyttle who agreed to meet with him. After the introduction, Lyttle loved him and began featuring Andreas in his band. Lyttle also produced Andreas’ first album Questions in 2010. At this time, Andreas began touring and playing shows at various Jazz festivals throughout Europe. In 2011, at 13 years old, he became the youngest headlining artist at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. Andreas became featured in shows with Martin Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel, and Louis Stewart. He appeared on the front cover of Guitar Player magazine. In the summer of 2012, Andreas had the opportunity to play at the world famous International Montreux Jazz Festival where he performed in front of festival founder Claude Nobs and record producer and music legend Quincy Jones. A few months after the festival, Quincy signed Andreas to his management company. In October 2013, Andreas Varady signed a record deal with Verve Records under David Foster. He recorded his debut album in January 2014 with producer David Paich. To date, Andreas Varady has performed with a collection of world class musicians including: Frank Vignola, Andreas Oberg, Casey Benjamin, Terell Stafford, Lee Ritenour, Stochelo Rosemberg, Alfredo Rodriguez, Nikki Yanofsky, Henry Cole, Reiner Elizarde, Louis Stewart, Soweto Kinch, and many more. Andreas is a Benedetto artist and plays his own signature variation of the Bambino model guitar. D’Addario strings and Planet Waves cables also endorse Andreas. Most recently, Andreas caught the interest of Bob Zievers, George Benson’s agent, who has signed on to work with the young guitarist. Throughout Andreas’ budding career as a master jazz guitarist, he has never been to music school. His only teacher was his father, who has played alongside Andreas in his trio as a bassist. Andreas’ drummer in the group is his youngest brother Adrian, who is only 11 years old. Andreas is also supported by his loving mother and sister. My album “The Quest” is now available for pre-order and available everywhere on April 6! http://www.resonancerecords.org/release.php?cat=RCD-1026