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Walt Andrus has delighted millions across North America, Europe, Japan and the high seas since 1988 as the featured vocalist with the One and Only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Buddy Morrow. He's performed on television, radio and at top venues in the U.S. and abroad, from intimate jazz clubs to the Hollywood Bowl.

He's been called "the world's best big band singer" by The Big Band Dancers Society in the U.S. and has generated an International Walt Andrus Society, founded by the president of The Sinatra Society of Scandinavia.

Walt studied piano and organ and started playing sax and trumpet with bands at the age of 12. At 17, he began his singing career. After a stint with the Pied Pipers, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His tenure with the Dorsey organization has allowed him to hone his craft and has contributed greatly to the band's popularity with both the people from the Big Band era and also the ever-growing new audience just discovering the Big Band sound.

He has studied the recordings of those singers who gained fame during the Big Band era such as Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald and the like. Walt's baritone voice has a hauntingly similar timbre and range as a fellow Dorsey alumnus who became "The Chairman of the Board", Frank Sinatra.

Walt doesn't try to imitate Sinatra, but, rather, his goal is to bring the flavor of great songs to an audience, bringing back wonderful memories and creating new ones, as well. While the similarity and influence undeniably exists, Andrus maintains a uniqueness and individuality, which allows him to approach the comparisons on a positive note. "Well, I guess if people are going to compare me to someone, it might as well be the best, and that's Francis Albert", says Walt.

While he enjoys all kinds of music, Walt knows his forte vocally, and that is singing the great standards -- the ballads, love songs, and torch and saloon songs. He also performs new music with equal style. Walt is always quick to pay homage to the great songwriters, lyricists, arrangers and musicians. As Andrus points out, "The musicians, the song and the arrangement can make or break a performance".

Walt has recorded 2 albums with The Sonny Costanzo Big Band, a solo album entitled "Love's a Song" and has completed an album of standards with The Buddy Morrow Big Band entitled "Swing the Sinatra Way". The PBS special Tommy Dorsey, A Sentimental Journey", features Walt extensively on such Dorsey hits as "The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else", "I'll Never Smile Again", "Marie", Oh, Look At Me Now, and "Without A Song".

Musically, Walt feels these are exciting times, and he is quick to point out the growing number of young artists performing his kind music. Particularly with the resurgence of "Swing", a young audience Is coming out in force, discovering music new to them, while the older audience reminisces, glad to hear their favorite songs in the capable hands of Walt Andrus. As he phrases it, "Great music will always be great music, no generation gap here!" .

More About Walt:

Walt Andrus' *STAR* began to rise with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra conducted by Buddy Morrow asTHE vocalist beginning in 1988 after being a member of The Pied Pipers.
Walt has performed Internationally on land and sea. Walt began his musical training quite young and was playing tenor sax with Big Bands at age 12. Singing began at 17 with local jazz groups and Sonny Costanzo's Jazz Orchestra recording 2 albums with him.
Buddy Morrow asked Walt to 'fill in' with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1986. In January of 1988 'The Road' beckoned and Walt joined The TDO full time. A great combination was born.
Walt's smooth phrasing on ballads and swinging style paired with Buddy's incredible trombone inspired comparisons to Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey at their best!
After his first trip to Sweden, The International Walt Andrus Society was founded in Malmo, Sweden by Stig Nillson
During Andrus' tenure with the Dorsey Organization, Walt was also entrusted to LEAD the Orchestra during Buddy's absenses to GREAT reviews! Maintaining the Dorsey tradition of excellence and adding his own personal flair.

Walt performs with many musicians, bands and orchestras internationally,
including: The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (TDO), The Nelson Riddle Orchestra,
Glenn Miller Orchestra, Gene Krupa Orchestra, Stamford Symphony
Orchestra, US Navy Big Band SW (San Diego), Terry Meyers Orchestra,
Harold Zinno Jazz Orchestra, Paramount Orchestra, Don Wilner
Quartet (SoBe Miami, FL), Empyreal Strings Orchestra (New York, NY)
and many more.


Notable Venues & Performances

The Hollywood Bowl, The Waldorf Astoria, The Chestnut Room at Tavern On The Green, South St. Seaport, Lincoln Center, Shea Stadium (National Anthem), New York, NY, The G.W. Bush Inaugural Ball in Washington,DC, The Blue Room at The Fairmont Hotel New Orleans, The Moulin Rouge Room at The Fairmont Chicago, Sandstone Pavillion Kansas City, MO, The Melody Tent Cape Cod, MA, New Haven Jazz Festival, CT, Montreal Jazz Festival, Stockholm Jazz Festival, Sweden, Club Bird Yokohama,Japan, Busch Gardens Tampa, FL and Williamsburg,VA, Disneyland,CA, Rich Center, Stamford CT, Van Dyke Cafe Miami Beach, FL, Navy Pier San Diego, CA. The Sands, Resorts International Atlantic City, NJ, The Mirage, The Stardust, Las Vegas. Most Recently-Berg. Jazz Fest Wyndham Ballroom Redding, PA Foxwoods Cassino, CT Anniversary Celebration for the cast of 'The Sopranos', The Palladium Theatre London, UK. Others available on request.
Cruise Lines: The Cunard QE2, SS Norway, Celebrity Zenith, MSC Lyrica, Royal Viking Sun
Radio, TV, Recordings: WQXR South St. Seaport, New York, NY, Public Radio Canada, St. Dennis Theatre, Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Utrecht, Holland, Music Of Your Life Network, Stardust Network, PBS Television Special "Tommy Dorsey A Sentimental Journey " (VHS video), MIMO Records: "Sonny Costanzo Big Band III, Sweetheart Records: "Love's A Song", Hindsight Records: "Swing The Sinatra Way", Independent: "Let's Make Music" The Music Of Lyell Clay, The Howard Stern Show (radio)BIGBANDSINGER@charter.net All addresses are checked regularly.

Influences: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Mel Torme', Matt Monroe, Jack Jones, Vic Damone, Dean Martin, Dick Haymes, Bing Crosby
Sounds Like: F. Sinatra - so they say, but with his own unique style... judge for yourself.
Walt is NOT an impersonator.
Record Label: Hindsight,SwingShift Productions,Sweatheart Rcrds

BIG BAND JAZZ CAFE SOCIETY

Along with having been with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, I am on the Board Of Directors of
THE BIG BAND JAZZ CAFE SOCIETY. A not for profit orginzation promotimg the American art form of Jazz, Swing and Big Band Music. High Schools, Colleges, Theatres, Civic Centers etc. an entertaining and educational/clinic/lecture performances are available. Reach me or Dick Cully (see link)

Be advised we don't list "Private Affair" details ... Walt Andrus is available for recording sessions, Jingles and original material.
Updates as they come in...

DISCLAIMER:

All of Walt Andrus' performances Are Subject To Change due to Cancellations, Illness, Routing, Travel considerations and Additions.

Venues and times will be updated ASAP.

CONTACT US FOR BOOKING INFO IN YOUR AREA FOR:
"A TRIBUTE FRANK SINATRA" STARRING WALT ANDRUS and The Swingshift Orchestra.. The Harold Zinno Quartet and JAZZ Orchestra. Symphony Concerts with Michael Berkowitz... The New Gene Krupa Orchestra. A Tribute to Buddy Rich and FS with Dick Cully .... Sinatra A-Z with Walt Andrus and Rob Zappulla.... "A Swingin' Affair"..."The NEW Summit" ... The Wayne Hiller Octet.The finest comics and the Best Look-a-Likes via Chez Company/ Portrayals/sound-alikes/voice over and other talent. And Of Course, Customized show packages are easily accommodated for Public Performances and Private and Corporate Events.............................................

That's the LATEST!! Reach me about venues not listed and times of performances. They will be posted as I receive info.

BigBandSinger@charter.net