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Appearing in duo format with pianist Conal Fowkes,  Andy Stein’s polished violin and raw vocals are presented in an historical context with an emphasis on the Swing Era of the 1920’s and ’30’s.  

The occasional Broadway show tune and light classical music of Fritz Kreisler and others are thrown into the mix as well.  This brings a nice continuity between what was popular just before jazz was invented and what became popular soon after.  

Stein’s violin style is reminiscent of Stephane Grapelli (to whom he is often compared) and also shows off his classical roots and a certain gypsy influence.   

Mr. Fowkes is versatile in many styles of music and is noted for preserving Tin Pan Alley music as well as traditional New Orleans Jazz.

A healthy dose of historical explanation and humorous banter frame the musical numbers to create a congenial relationship with the audience.                                                                    

About the Artists

For the past twenty years ANDY STEIN has been heard most weekends on Public Radio’s nationwide broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, where he adds his violin, fiddle, saxophone, mandolin and occasional vocals to this popular variety show, performing with Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, YoYo Ma, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Brad Paisley, Roger Miller, Chet Atkins and numerous other wonderful guest musicians as they come on the show.
 
After his studies at conservatory, Andy started his professional career as a founding member of Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen where his distinctive style on violin and saxophone added a swing element to this beloved rock ‘n’ roll band of the early ’70’s.   He subsequently worked with popular artists from Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, and Elvis Costello, to Madonna, Beyoncée, and Aretha Franklin; from Smashing Pumpkins, Aerosmith and Metallica to Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, B.B. King and Eric Clapton. A few sessions with Harry Connick Jr., Tony Bennett, and Barbara Cook also helped to round out his musical life.
    
In the jazz field Andy has been a featured soloist with Winton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, Phil Woods, Manhattan Transfer, Turtle Island String Quartet, John Pizzarelli, to name a few.

He has also done some memorable classical recording sessions with such great artists as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Placido Domingo, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Federica von Stade, and others.   In addition, as composer/arranger,  Stein has had the honor of  commissions from Jaime Laredo, André Watts, Sir Paul McCartney and others; including an opera with libretto by Garrison Keillor.   After over ten years of live performances on both sides of the Atlantic, his arrangement of Schubert’s famed string quartet, “Death & The Maiden,” for full symphony has recently been recorded and released on the Naxos label (Buffalo Phil./Falletta).

We do want to mention that Stein has also enjoyed gigs with Country greats such as Emmy Lou Harris, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel (with whom he holds a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental.)  
 

CONAL FOWKES, born in Zambia and a graduate of the Royal College of Music London, moved to New York in 1996 and has been in constant demand as both a pianist and double-bassist. He is a member of the Woody Allen Jazz Band, Orange Kellin’s New Orleans Serenaders, Eddy Davis’ NY Jazz Allstars, the Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra, award winning Cuban group Los Soneros de Oriente and is pianist for movie star Danny Aiello. He has performed all over the world in many of the premier concert halls, jazz clubs and festivals appearing on radio, television and film. Other credits include performances with Wynton Marsalis, Bob Wilber, Paquito D’Rivera, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Bette Midler and Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks Orchestra. He was featured soloist in the hit Broadway show One Mo’ Time and can be seen and/or heard in the films Madame Suzatska, Ghost World, Finding Forester and five-time Oscar winner The Aviator.