Jeff Andrews

Jeff Andrews (20 January 1960 — 14 March 2019) was an American jazz and jazz fusion bassist based in New York City, New York. He is best known for his late 1980s tenure with saxophonist Michael Brecker and for his work in the 1990s with guitarist Mike Stern and drummer Steve Smith's Vital Information ensemble.

In the mid-90s, he led his own band (New Standards) and an eponymous trio that he led since 2000.

Jeff Andrews was born on January 20, 1960, to Ellsworth and Harriet Grempler Andrews. He was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. 

His passion for music began at 12 when he learned electric bass. Musically, he was inspired and influenced by the sound of jazz and rock fusion pioneered by the likes of Miles Davis and Chick Corea.

After finishing his school education (Dulaney High School, Cockeysville, Maryland), he attended Peabody Institute, Baltimore (1976-1978), Berklee College Of Music, Boston (1978-1980), and Towson State University, Baltimore (1980-1981)

After a stint in Los Angeles, Andrews moved to New York City where he began his professional career in 1983/84 after being signed as bassist by the Canadian-American jazz-rock music group Blood, Sweat, and Tears. The following year, he joined the fusion ensemble Special EFX, with whom he remained for three years and performed on three albums.

In 1988, he began working in Bob Minzter and Gil Evans orchestras and made a place as a session musician among some of the best-known artists in the fusion scene, recording with musicians such as Bob Berg and Michael Brecker.

Andrews left Brecker in 1989 to join Steps Ahead, the fusion band led by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. In 1990, he accompanied saxophonist Wayne Shorter. While with Steps Ahead, he met Steve Smith (former drummer of Journey), and in 1991, became part of Smith's band Vital Information with Tom Coster (keyboards, of Carlos Santana fame) and Frank Gambale (guitar).

From 1993 to 1998, Andrews was hired by Mike Stern for his trio (with Dave Weckl on drums) and made four world tours.

In 1994, he formed a jazz ensemble under his name, the Jeff Andrews & New Standards Band.

In addition, Andrews has also taught music at Manhattan School of Music.

Over the years, Andrews has collaborated with several celebrated musicians including Joe Zawinul, Bill Evans, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Jaco Pastorius, Joshua Redman, Larry Coryell, Dave Sanborn, Hermeto Pascal, Milton Nascimento, Lew Soloff, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Malach, Steve Slagle, Victor Lewis, McCoy Tyner, Adam Nussbaum, Ritchie Morales, Airto Moriera, Kenny Kirkland, Omar Hakim, Tom Coster, Lew Soloff, Mike Mainieri, Peter Erskine, Franke Malabay, Robben Ford, John Reilly, Jeff Watts, Ben Reilly, Bob Moses, George Cables, Joe Lock, Alex Foster, Randy Brecker, Jim Beard, Donald Byrd, Manolo Badrena, Kenny Warner, Spiro Gyra, Dave Samuels, Brian Blade, Dave Kakowski and Joey Calderazzo.​

• 2001: Debbie Deanne, Debut, Escapade.
• 1998: Vital Information, Where We Come From, Intuition.
• 1997: Baba Olatunji, Drum Love Talk.
• 1997: Mike Stern, Between The Lines, Atlantic.
• 1996: Vital Information, Ray of Hope, Intuition.
• 1994: Tom Coster, The Forbidden Zone, JVC.
• 1993: Vital Information, Easier Done Than Said, Manhattan.
• 1992: Steps Ahead, Yin Yang, NYC Label.
• 1992: Bob Mintzer, I Remember Jaco, BMG.
• 1992: Jimi Tunnel, Jimi Tunnel, Pioneer.
• 1991: Eliane Alias, A Long Story, Blue Note Records.
• 1991: Haru Takuchi, 10 Billion Stars, Toshiba EMI.
• 1990: Joe Locke, Longing, Steeple Chase.
• 1990: Haru Takuchi, Galactic Odyssey, Toshiba EMI.
• 1989: Mike Stern, Jigsaw, Atlantic.
• 1988: Michael Brecker, Don't Try This At Home, Impulse-MCA.
• 1988: Michael Brecker Band, Live In Berlin, German Independent.
• 1988: Mike Stern, Time And Place, Atlantic.
• 1988: Bireli Lagrene, Foreign Affairs, Blue Note.
• 1988: Bob Berg, Cycles, Denon.
• 1987: Bob Berg, Bob Berg, Denon.
• 1986: Mike Stern, Mike Stern, Atlantic.
• 1985: Special EFX, Slice of Life, GRP/ Mistique, GRP / Modern Manners.