15 Greencliff Drive, Niantic, CT 06357 The Andy Sherwood Quartet h: (860) 739‐2832, c: (860) 514‐1948 [email protected] Biography andysherwoodclarinet.com

Clarinetist and Saxophonist Andy Sherwood displays a style deeply rooted in the clarinet playing of , “the King of Swing,” and , “the King of Dixieland.” Andy grew up listening to these great clarinetists, eventually leading him to audition and win the position as jazz clarinetist for the U.S. Coast Guard Band. In 2009 he retired from the band after 24 years, but along the way he joined forces with Coast Guard Band musicians, pianist Ian Frenkel, bassist Mark McCormick, and drummer Tom Briggs, who were also pursuing opportunities to play swing and Dixieland music. So in 1998, The Andy Sherwood Jazz Quartet was formed in New London, CT, home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The members of the quartet all hold music degrees and have a wide range of experience during their years in the U.S. Coast Guard Band. Andy Sherwood was dubbed the “Benny Goodman” of the Coast Guard Band while performing as jazz soloist throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii, Russia, England and Japan. He led the Coast Guard Dixieland Band for 15 years, performing in many notable venues including the Kennedy Center and Sylvan Theater in Washington DC and the Mardi Gras in . In fact, the performances in New Orleans led him to have the good fortune to play alongside his childhood hero, clarinetist Pete Fountain. Andy holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the Ohio State University and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Connecticut.

Ian Frenkel, a native of Moscow, Russia, is a talented pianist, arranger, and composer. Equally adept in all jazz styles, he approaches Dixieland with extraordinary spirit. He holds degrees from Gorky Conservatory in Moscow and the Manhattan School of Music. He was a member of the United States Coast Guard Band for 15 years and is now Director of Cadet Bands at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Mark McCormick is a superlative bassist in many styles of music from classical to jazz. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. He has been a member of the Coast Guard Band since 1997 and performs with the swing band. He currently leads the Coast Guard Dixieland band.

A masterful drummer, Tom Briggs is an award winning arranger and composer as well as a highly sought after vibraphonist and pianist. He has studied with jazz greats Gary Burton and Max Roach. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts. In 2009, he retired after 30 years of service with the Coast Guard Band. He performed with the Dixieland band and created the Masters of Swing. Currently, he is music director at the Community Music School in Centerbrook, CT.

Guitarist Doug Maher is the newest member of the band. Doug displays his remarkable jazz improvisation style and technique on the recently released CD, Live at the LaGrua Center. He holds a B. M. in Jazz performance from the Berklee College of Music, a M. M. in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami, and an education certificate from Central Connecticut State University. He was a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble from 1977‐81. He has taught at Berklee, the University of Connecticut, and Central Connecticut. Doug performs with the quartet in the absence of pianist Ian Frenkel and on occasions when a quintet is desired.