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From the City of Port Of Spain on the Island of Trinidad comes a
singer and songwriter whose love for music can be traced back to his
childhood days as a pan player in Steel Orchestras. Against the
wishes of his parents, Malcolm H. Oliver (AKA Andy), began playing
steel drums at the age of 16. The glamour of the Savannah stage at
Carnival time captured this young lad's heart and he hoped that
someday he would perform on the same stage that had hosted some of
the Country's greatest Calypsonians and Steel Bands. By the time
Andy was 18, he played on the Savannah stage with such Steel
Orchestra greats as Huggins Pandemonium, Coca Cola Silverstars and
Vat 19 Tripolians.
Andy moved to the United States in 1975 and settled in Bellingham,
Washington. His first performance in the U. S. was with an eight
piece Reggae/Ska band called the Kooks. After playing local clubs
for a few years, the band separated and Andy formed his own band
called Andy O & The Youth All Stars. The All Stars, which consisted
of mainly Western Washington University students, disbanded after
six months when several members graduated and left town.
In 1985 Andy started a second band called Almighty Dread, a five
piece Reggae band that evolved and changed its name to Jumbalassy.
After a very successful six years as lead vocalist and songwriter
for the band, Andy decided to go solo. In August of 1991 Andy O was
formed to bring his Soca- Calypso- Reggae sounds to crowded dance
floors at Local Clubs, Wedding receptions, Fraternities, Corporate
parties and Charity events. The Andy O band is composed of eight
musicians, featuring the Hottest Horn Section in the Pacific
Northwest. Together they create sweet Caribbean sounds that dare the
feet not to dance.
In 1992, Andy's first single Searching was nominated for best
world-music recording at the NAMA awards. Also in 1992 he recorded
his first CD, As Long As It Takes, with the band. Many of the songs
on this CD have become crowd favorites and are requested by the
audience at every show. Getting Closer and Trouble In St. Ann's, are
the third and fourth solo release from Andy O. These excitement
packed albums are full of Andy's original compositions, an
assortment of Ballads, Reggae, Soca and Calypso music.
The current band brings together musicians with a wealth of musical
backgrounds from all over the world, making him the Number One Dance
Band and Performer in the Northwest. Most refer to Andy O as the
King of Calypso, Reggae and Soca music.
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