About Andrew Distel
Andrew Distel is a native of Cincinnati, and music has been part of his life for about as long as he can remember. Both his parents are educators and music lovers, and they encouraged their four sons to learn a musical instrument. Andrew, however, was the only one of the Distel brothers who had an abiding interest in music and taught himself to play his brother’s trumpet by imitating Chuck Mangione records. His music journey began in earnest in 5th grade when he joined the school band and started taking private music lessons. He continued his music studies and played trumpet in various bands throughout his years in public school, but singing was also a passion of his, and he found the time to sing in several choirs as well.
Distel began gigging in clubs as a trumpet player, vocalist, and bandleader while attending the prestigious College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. After graduating, he moved to Chicago in 2000 to continue his education at Roosevelt University. It didn’t take long for him to build a solid reputation as a talented trumpeter and an exciting, new male jazz voice on the scene.
Distel has performed with a wide variety of artists including Ira Sullivan, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Liquid Soul, Rob Parton, Pat Harbison, The Lakeside Singers, George Fludas and Johnny Frigo.
Distel’s first album, Stepping Out of a Dream, was released in 2007 and received positive reviews and airplay all over the world. His second album, It Only Takes Time, is now available and features Grammy award winners Peter Martin, Carlos Henriquez, Howard Levy and Jim Gailloreto.
Photographer: Zach Share @ZSharePhotovisions