By the time saxophonist Andre Delano was 18 he had more credentials on his resume than your average new artist. He received his training at East St. Louis, Illinois' prestigious Lincoln High School, the alma mater of legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, and had performed with numerous famed musicians such as: Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, and Bunky Green, among others.
"Our jazz program was really incredible," Andre says about their regimen that required practicing one hour before school and five hours after school everyday. "We won every competition, including Down Beat magazine's national competition. In my three years at Lincoln, we never lost. We were No. 1 at everything."
That experience prepared Andre for his career as a noted saxophonist who would go on to record or travel with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Jeff Lorber, Chieli Minucci, Doc Powell, and Bobby Lyle.
After recording and touring with other acts, the artist who has received critical acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Weekly, and Rolling Stone magazine felt it was time to work on a solo project. The result is his 10-track, self-produced album, Full Circle that reflects a diverse mixture of jazz. The album released on the new, independent label, 7th Note Entertainment, Inc. (www.7thnote.net).
The opening track, "Funkborne," incorporates deep elements of blues and funk. The tribute to his son "When Jadon Smiles" showcases gospel undertones. And there are numerous smooth jazz stylings including, Why Not, which features noted smooth jazz artist Kevin Toney, "Night Riders," Gypsy, which features Earth, Wind & Fires original guitarist Al McKay, "Foot Steps," "Mystic Journey," featuring R&Bs hottest sensation Terrell and the title track.
Full Circle is especially significant to Andre because it explains his plight as an artist. With lifes challenges you start to understand that everything happens in divine timing and you must allow things to progress naturally, Andre says. On "Full Circle," he sings, "All my life, on my own, set apart from a first born, how long must it be, for you to set me free some people get it on the first go, I want to go full circle."
Andre's musical journey began when he was 8-years-old. "My father would take me over to my older cousin's house every weekend, and I would see him playing sax to his girlfriend in the basement and she would be absolutely melting," Andre says with a laugh. "And I said, 'Okay, that's definitely what I want to do.'"
Andre's parents immediately responded to his interest and went into debt to purchase his first saxophone. Though it took some time for Andre to get past the novelty of playing the sax, by the time he reached junior high school he was taking it more seriously and playing in concerts and school assemblies.
Participating in the award winning jazz program at Lincoln High School enabled him to receive a full music scholarship to Jackson State University where he graduated Marshall of his business class earning a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.
After completing college, Andre moved to Los Angeles where he quickly landed work playing with numerous music greats. His various stints took him on several tours traveling through Russia, Denmark, Finland, London, Japan, Sweden, and Holland. He has also performed with Maxwell on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Show Time At The Apollo, Soul Train, as well as cable music channels BET, MTV, and VH1.
While Andre has enjoyed performing with such celebrated artists, he describes the opportunity to record his solo album as "invigorating." "I feel like now I've proclaimed my independence," he says. "I'm really proud that I took advantage of this opportunity. And I trust that all things are in the proper place and are happening just as they are supposed to.
Andre could have pursued a solo recording deal as soon as he finished high school, but he elected to enhance his knowledge with education and professional experiences. The stellar musicianship displayed on Full Circle, Andres solo debut, clearly illustrates the patience and genius in his wise decision.For more information on this artist, please contact 7th Note Entertainment, Inc., at
[email protected]
