ANDREW ‘ANDY’ BALLANTYNE (saxophonist) is an accomplished saxophonist skilled at performing on alto, tenor, and soprano saxes, clarinet, flute, and piccolo. He is also a respected arranger and composer, currently teaching saxophone, theory, and arranging/composition on the faculty of Toronto’s famed Humber College, the school from which he originally graduated more than two decades ago. He also graduated from the University of Toronto Jazz Studies program, and in the late ‘80s, participated in the Banff Centre Jazz Workshop.

He is a regular member of The Art of Jazz Big Band, John MacLeod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra, The Paul Read Orchestra (PRO), Mike Cado’s Nimmons ‘n’ Nine Now, and NOJO (Neufeld/Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra). In 2006, he formed the Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble (ABLE), an 11-piece band consisting of some of the most talented jazz musicians in the country. ‘The Sum of the Parts’, ABLE’s debut CD, is available at CD Baby and on iTunes.

Andy Ballantyne is known as a versatile performer, talented in several different genres which has led to engagements in pit-bands for major theatrical productions, recorded jingles and soundtracks, supporting starring entertainers including Don Rickles and Donna Summer, as well as performing and recording with a long list of jazz greats including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Don Byron, Vince Mendoza, and Carla Bley.

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