Andy Jaffe Septet

The Andy Jaffe Septet is led by the distinguished composer, arranger, pianist, and educator Andy Jaffe. A central figure in jazz pedagogy for over forty years, Jaffe recently retired from Williams College, where he founded and directed the jazz program for three decades and served as the Artistic Director of the Williamstown Jazz Festival. His academic career includes tenures at Berklee College of Music, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and international appointments at institutions such as the Institut Musical de formation Professionelle in France and the Tainan National University of the Arts in Taiwan. Jaffe’s discography is marked by sophisticated orchestrations and high-level collaborations. His 2020 release, "Chorinhoso", showcases original Brazilian-influenced compositions and features musicians such as the late Wallace Roney, Jimmy Greene, and Kris Allen. His 2016 album, "Arc", was named one of the top ten releases of the month by the New York Times and received acclaim for its "graceful precision." Other notable recordings include "Manhattan Projections", featuring former students Branford Marsalis and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, and "An Imperfect Storm", which highlights his large ensemble works with the Slovak Radio Orchestra and the Bill Lowe-Andy Jaffe Repertory Big Band. As a composer, Jaffe’s versatility extends from solo piano to full jazz orchestra suites, such as "Every Day Blues," and even a cappella settings of Taiwanese aboriginal folksongs. He continues to be an active force in the international jazz community as a guest lecturer and conductor at prestigious institutions including Harvard University and the New England Conservatory.