| Andru Branch | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andrew Reginald Arnold Branch |
| Born | June 27, 1968 Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | reggae, world |
| Occupations | singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | keyboard, percussion |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Associated acts | Andru Branch & Halfway Tree |
| Website | www.halfwaytree.ca |
Andru Reginald Arnold Branch (born June 27, 1968, Sackville, New Brunswick) is a Canadian reggae musician, singer-songwriter and leader of the reggae band Andru Branch & Halfway Tree.
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Andru Branch was nominated for a Canadian JUNO music award (Best Reggae Recording) in 2000 for his debut album titled What If I Told You, recorded at Kingston Muzik Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. The album was distributed with modified artwork in Europe and the United States by Tabou 1 Records and features Earl “Chinna” Smith and members of Bob Marley’s backup band “The Wailers”; Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Tyrone Downie, and Alvin “Seeco” Patterson.
His second album The Only Constant was released in January 2008 and features Squidly Cole and Chris Meredith of Ziggy Marley's band along with Alvin “Seeco” Patterson from The Wailers. The Only Constant is straight-up roots-reggae, brimming with lush horns, placid backbeats and spiritual proclamations".[1] Its title was taken from a popular saying ("the only constant in life is change") favoured by Andru's late mother.[2] The album was recorded at Kingston Muzik Studio in Jamaica, Victory Drive Studio in Toronto, Ontario and was mixed and mastered at Common Ground Studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Andru’s traditional roots-reggae style is wide-ranging, varying from African high-life to suggestions of country influence and has been described by Exclaim! Magazine as “some of the rootsiest bottom-heavy music ever to come out of the Great White North”.[3] He performed at Jamaica’s 1998 Reggae Sunsplash Festival [2][4] and as a percussionist, has backed musicians Brinsley Forde, Gregory Isaacs, Glen Washington, Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul.
Studio One’s original Soul Vendors bassist Brian “Bassie” Atkinson joined Andru Branch & Halfway Tree in 2002 and the band is currently making new reggae music.[5]
Andru developed a profound love for reggae music while growing up in multicultural Toronto, Ontario where he was mentored by Tony "Raffa" White and Bernie Pitters before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2000.[1] Andru Branch graduated from Lawrence Park Collegiate and received a "Sound & Music Recording Diploma" from Recording Arts Canada.
Official Website: www.halfwaytree.ca