Andy Eastwood
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Andy Eastwood (born 1981 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is a vaudeville entertainer and ukulele virtuoso.[1]
His interest in the ukulele and banjolele began when his grandfather gave him his first instrument as a child, and after reading music at the University of Oxford, where he also studied violin and piano, he graduated as the historic university's first musician ever to give a degree recital on the ukulele.[2]
After cutting his teeth as a cabaret performer, Eastwood broke into theatre and developed a reputation as a multi-instrumental variety act, combining his instrumental and vocal prowess with comic delivery, notably remeniscent of British film comedian George Formby, to whom (amongst others) Eastwood pays tribute in his act. Recent years have seen him touring as an opening act for Ken Dodd, Danny La Rue, Ronnie Ronalde and also starring in a wartime revue called We'll Meet Again.[3] [4]
His first CD album in 1999, was Ukulele Serenade; it featured the comic songs of George Formby and various ukulele arrangements of well known standards. It was championed by BBC Radio 2 presenter Desmond Carrington. Subsequent releases have included Ukulele Mania (2004), We'll Meet Again (2005) and Bring Me Sunshine (2007).
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[edit] Discography
- Ukulele Serenade (1999) Label: ACE Music Catalogue No: ACE 991
- Running Wild with the band 'Red Hot & Blonde' (2002) Label: ACE Music Catalogue No: ACE 021
- Ukuelele Mania (2004) Label: ACE Music Catalogue No: ACE 031
- We'll Meet Again (2005) Label: ACE Music Catalogue No: ACE 051
- Bring Me Sunshine (2007) Label: ACE Music Catalogue No: ACE 061[5]
[edit] Other Facts
- Andy Eastwood is the owner of a Gibson ukulele banjo that once belonged to the legendary George Formby.[6]
- He played a bit part in the NBC film The John Lennon Story (2001)
- In addition to the ukulele and banjolele, he plays violin, guitar, banjo, piano, keyboards, drums, bass, washboard, and of course, vocals, on his recordings.
- A popular choice as a support act for big-name variety artists, the first star he worked with was Max Bygraves, at the age of fifteen!
- TV appearances include Barrymore, Blue Peter, GMTV, Today with Des and Mel; he also taught comedian Frank Skinner to play the ukulele for the 2006 BBC 1 show Play It Again.
[edit] References
- ^ Lancashire Telegraph Interview, December 2006
- ^ Guardian Interview, June 2002
- ^ The Stage article, January 2006
- ^ Official Biography
- ^ www.amazon.co.uk
- ^ [Bring Me Sunshine CD liner notes]
