Andy Duinker
Performing and Recording Artist
Andy Duinker is a multi-faceted performer. He performs big band and swing standards, his own original songs, contemporary folk songs, traditional ballads, beloved sea songs, Maritime-flavoured songs and songs for kids. His extensive vocal range allows for both rich bass solos and lyrical tenor melodies to be handled with ease and fluidity.
Through the years Andy has been in great demand in a variety of singing groups. His experience in quartets, trios, barbershop ensembles, and community choirs afforded him the opportunity to create music in a variety of styles and settings. As a solo artist, he is able to draw on his musical experience to sing soothing ballads, lusty sea songs and jazz standards. Andy’s ability to present songs with rich vocal texture, clarity of tone and smooth range transitions set him apart from the ordinary. Folks say “he has a serious set of pipes”.
Andy performs with confident comfort and quickly establishes an emotional connection with his listeners. His gentle wit and humorous anecdotes endear him to audiences of all ages and, combined with his musical presentation creates a performance that will be remembered long after the concert hall has emptied. He is equally comfortable performing for adult, mixed family, and children's audiences. In addition to being the featured vocalist in adult concert venues, he adds his vocal expertise to the duo “Donna & Andy”. They have performed for children in schools, festivals, and concert venues across the country for almost 30 years.
Andy has been involved in ten recording projects. His most recent recording (EP) "Come Dance with Me" features his vocals in some lovely old dance standards with a big band sound. "Fine Company" is an easy listening, contemporary traditional/Maritime/folk recording featuring Andy’s bass/baritone/tenor voice.
All six of Donna & Andy’s recordings - Blue Skies & Pirates, Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me, Computer Cat, It’s Christmas Time, La vie pour moi and A Jolly Bunch Are We have received ECMA and MNS Awards or nominations and they were nominated for a 2007 Juno.
In addition to performing and recording, Andy is active as a publisher and composer. Andy is a songwriter and often co-writes with fellow performer and songwriter, Donna Rhodenizer. He and Donna co-own Red Castle Publishing, the company responsible for publishing and distributing their recorded and printed music. Andy and Donna arrange songs for their own performances as well as publishing their original songs as choir arrangements and music repertoire resources for schools and vocal studios. Their attention to lyrical and singable lines for each vocal section makes their music popular with choirs of all ages.
Andy’s professional performing skills are not confined to singing. He has ably performed the duties of MC, auctioneer, sports commentator and public speaker in a variety of settings.
Andy has 4 children and maintains a keen interest in their musical, athletic and career development. His interest in aviation has been passed on to one of his sons who is a commercial pilot. He closely followed his 2 daughter’s professional basketball careers. Andy’s interests have been a guiding force in his career pursuits. He was a Dance Instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance studios in Edmonton, a Smoke Jumper in the Yukon and North West Tertitories, and has worked extensively in the carpentry field. He has developed and operated several businesses, including the I Scream ice cream parlour, Shaklee health products distributor, and Atlantic Airsport Ultralight flying school. Andy was the manager of the Kings County Airport for almost a dozen years. In his youth he experienced the life of a farmer’s son and lived in the city of Toronto for a number of years. Life experience is not lacking in this man, and he brings all of that experience to his performing career.
Stream and download all Donna & Andy CDs here
