Andrew London Trio

The Andrew London trio play an eclectic range of original songs and covers in a variety of styles ranging from 1930s swing to cool ’60s ‘latin lounge’. Songwriter/satirist Andrew London, well-known for his long-standing collaboration with Terry Crayford in their Hot Club Sandwich trio, explores middle-class obsessions and taboos in songs about rugby fans, television evangelists, weddings, male insecurities, technophobia, youth culture, household appliances, pretentious socialites, coffee, parenthood, and various other issues of concern to the average Kiwi. Woodwind exponent and songwriter Nils Olsen contributes with jazz-influenced saxophone, clarinet and flute, and more introspective original songs that provide a contrast to London’s characteristic levity. London’s recorded work now comprises eight Hot Club Sandwich albums, one of which gained a 4-star review in Downbeat USA, the world’s longest running jazz magazine; two Cattlestops albums, one of which was a finalist for the ‘Country album of the Year’ Tui award in 2007, and which featured prominently in the movie ‘Second Hand Wedding’; and one ‘Tales of Tennessee’ album featuring legendary fiddler Colleen Trenwith. In 2010 Hot Club Sandwich, which included Olsen at the time, was flown to Saudi Arabia by the New Zealand Embassy to present a series of concerts to international audiences. Olsen’s past projects include albums with C.L Bob, one of which was awarded a Tui award for jazz album of the year, and various contributions to Hot Club Sandwich albums. The trio is completed by bassist Kirsten London, also active with Kapiti-based quartet ‘Henpicked’, who have released several albums of original material, and featured at music festivals throughout NZ.