Andrew R. Gatewood is a jazz pianist and composer from the Detroit area. Two of his compositions have recently been selected for the 2017-2018 Independent Film Makers Project. He is one of the overall winners of the 2017 Radio Airplay Holiday Contest for his arrangement of God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. In addition, his debut album, Reflections, was released in January 2018 and selected tracks are now available on five compilation albums, including Jazz Music Sensations, Folk Rhythm Mode, Folk Music Issue , Jazz About the Rhythm and Inside the Groove, Volume 6 .
Andrew developed a passion for jazz during his adolescent years and began studying piano and music theory, while completing his undergraduate studies at Eastern Michigan University. His early influences include McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, Barry Harris and Sonny Clark.
In 1979, Andrew attained a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and enjoyed a long successful professional career in social research, human services administration and philanthropy. Throughout his professional career; however, he continued to pursue his passion for music and performed with The Standard Times Band between 1998 and 2002. In 2001, the group was featured and recorded several jazz standards at Studio 15, a local cable program in the Detroit area. While he enjoys public performances, his primary interest is jazz composition. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP).
Andrew continues to compose and record his songs, and looks forward to contributing to this original art form of American classical music.