Andres Boiarsky

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Andres Boiarsky began piano lessons at the age of six. He later switched to the clarinet while getting deeply involved with the strong revivalist jazz scene that existed in Buenos Aires during the mid seventies. While stylistically evolving within the jazz idiom, Andres began playing the tenor, alto and soprano saxophones. In 1978 he left Argentina for London, England, to study at the renowned Royal College of Music from where he received an A.R.C.M. Diploma. During his British sojourn, he formed his own group and recorded his first solo album for Spotlight Records and several radio programs for the BBC. After completing his studies in England, Boiarsky returned to his homeland where he spent the next six years. He recorded two solo albums for CBS records and performed throughout several South American countries. In 1988, with the encouragement of Paquito D'Rivera and Carlos Franzetti, he moves to New York. A few months after his arrival Boiarsky joins the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, he would later become the band's musical director till 1993. From 1993 to 1998, Andres was a member of the United Nation Orchestra under the direction of D'Rivera. In 1997 after recording the CD “Dizzy’s 80th Birthday”, alongside Jon Faddis and Cyrus Chesnut among other jazz greats, he becomes part of the pool of outstanding musicians that make the “Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All Stars”, directed by Slide Hampton and John Lee. Currently he is still a member of this group performing all over the world at the most prestigious venues/festivals. As a sideman, Boiarsky participated in many recordings by the likes of: Slide Hampton, Paquito D'Rivera, Jimmy Heath, Nancy Wilson, The United Nation Orchestra, Claudio Roditi, Lionel Hampton, Al Di Meola, to name but a few. In 1996 he recorded "Into the Light", his first album as a leader for a North American label available through Reservoir Records. In 2004, Boiarsky starts a musical partnership with Japanese pianist Tomoko Ohno.  While performing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, they record the CD "Shadows of Spring" for MDR Records, released in May 2005. In 2006 they record for the same label: “Tomoko in Buenos Aires”, a follow up CD to “Shadows of Spring”, released in November 2006. As an educator Boiarsky has a vast experience that spans over twenty years of teaching in the US and in his native Argentina. He gave clinics at prestigious institutions such as the University of Idaho and the George Mason University in Virginia. His solo performances took him as far as Alaska and Russia where he has performed in several occasions including the White Nights Jazz festival in St. Petersburg. Andres is currently commuting between New York and Shanghai, China where he is quickly establishing himself as a mayor performer and teacher.