Andy, from Northern England, started playing guitar aged 7, when the guitar was bigger than him. First classical guitar concert aged 12, later studied with John Williams. "John was amazing, apart from his phenomenal skills and musicianship, he always encouraged us to do something new with the classical guitar...." Student years in Manchester, graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music, infused in Andy the urge to write, let it all out. As well as busking on street corners in Manchester and York, Andy also played for the Royal Opera company (Covent Garden), and Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranuez“ with a full orchestra. Playing bass guitar, he formed his first band at college, “The Strollers“ with fellow student Paul Dwyer, and after several madhouse gigs, they settled on a new duo, gigging all over the UK, also in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Cyprus, Germany, Africa and Turkey. Andy and Paul changed their name to “the Graduates“ and released 2 Cd’s of original material with Sony Music Germany, producing 3 National Radio Hits and a National tour. They moved to Istanbul, in the search for new inspiration and fell in love with this wonderful city, “the Pearl of the Orient“. They went on to sell over 3,000.000 records in collaboration as arrangers and writers with other artists in Turkey. Andy and Paul became the first English duo singing in Turkish, to release an album of original material, and became a household name there, with TV shows, and concerts in 5,000 seat roman amphitheaters. In 1997, they won the Crystal Apple, for the best jingle of the year, (Panasonic). Paul decided to open his own studio recording business in Istanbul, and Andy decided to fulfil a dream and move to New York. Always keeping in contact, and writing constantly, a new Turkish album is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2009. Andy is now living in New York City, writing, recording and gigging. Often travelling to Europe to perform, he describes his life in New York as a “priceless musical experience, shared with a gang of the finest musical dudes and marvelous characters!“

 ”I could say I hear echoes of Mark Knopfler, John Lennon, Elvis Costello in his music – and I do – but that would be unfair praise,  because he has his own sound – original, sympatico. He’s an extraordinary musician, a superb guitarist and vocalist, but what    impresses me are his lyrics, full of genuine feeling and sly wit ”
--Rex Roberts, Film Journal International, New York City.--

Andy is now living in New York City, writing, recording and gigging...other artists that Andy has recorded and/or performed with in NYC include Cary Scope, Phil Cimino, Joey DeGraw, Gavin DeGraw, Chris Barron, Joss Stone, Gavin DeGraw, John Pahmer, John Lloyd, Vin Cimino, Mike Tait, Jon Fritz, Colin Smith, Mathias Shuber, Dana Fuchs, Michael Brunnock and Lance Doss. More details, shows, music, etc, at www.andy-clayburn.com