Andy Fusco - Whirlwind

2016 release

Veteran altoist Andy Fusco makes his belated SteepleChase leader debut here with this 2003 quintet recording, showcasing his intense and strong command of the instrument in the bebop tradition. Growing up in New Jersey his interests were music and football. He first studied at the Syracuse University with football scholarship. After almost making it to NFL Fusco diverted his attention to music and landed the lead alto saxophone post at the Buddy Rich Big Band (1978-1983).

He has performed and recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis and Walt Weiskopf, to mention a few. Fusco is also a dedicated educator currently a member of the Music Faculty of Kean University, New Jersey. "Andy Fusco is a player's player, a steely-edged bopper whose wide swaths suggest Bird as well as Trane." - Chuck Berg, JazzTimes

"We can be grateful for being exposed to yet another substantial jazz man who is on the rise and will hopefully be bringing us much more great music in the coming years." - Andrew Hovan, AllAaboutJazz

Personnel: Andy Fusco (alto saxophone), John Mosca (trombone), Joel Weiskopf (piano), Dennis Irwin (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)