Andy Cleaves

Musical and Television Shows:
"Motown 25" (various artists), "Solid Gold" (Natalie Cole), "Fridays" (The Four Tops), "Ain't Misbehaven," "Blast from the Past" (Disney), "Stringbean" (featuring Leslie Uggams), "Cop Rock" (NBC Television), "L.A. Law" (ABC Television), "The Arsenio Hall Show" (En Vogue), "The Tonight Show" (En Vogue), and others...

Recorded, Arranged, or Performed with:
Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Eric Benet, Steve Vai, Michael Crawford, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Diane Carroll, The Four Tops, The Temptations, String Cheese Incident, Widespread Panic, Guster, The Winans, The Boys, James Galway, Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds, Englebert Humperdinck, Teena Marie, Irene Cara, O'bryan, Midnight Star, Sammy Davis Jr., Rich Little, Patti Labelle, Debarge, Nell Carter, Anita Baker, and more...

Brian Soergel
Smoothvibes.com

Not all great CDs come from established labels. For proof, check out the self-titled work by trumpet player Andy Cleaves, who makes his home in San Bernardino, in Southern California, and is frequent player in the area and has recorded or performed with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Eric Benet, Midnight Star and Anita Baker. Taking a chance on unknowns is risky business, but Cleaves is worth a listen and deserves a bigger presence on the smooth jazz scene. His sound is urban and upbeat and will remind listeners more than a few times of smooth jazz trumpet master Rick Braun. His picks some dandy covers: Wes Montgomery's "Road Song" has sweet backing scats by Joy Burnworth; "Killing Me Softly" has Burnworth's soulful vocals over a shuffling groove; and Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly" features Cleaves' long notes on the flugelhorn. Guest star Chris Standring adds wah-wah guitar to Cleaves' "Park Place," which also showcases the Benson-esque scatting of Andre Berry. Cleaves shows a knack for professionalism with this quality originals, filled with catchy hooks and inspired playing, sometimes going to places you wouldn't expect: "Bops" and "With You" are two of the best songs I've heard this year. Highly recommended. Smooth grade: A