Andy Calder is a successful professional musician, and he lives in the most beautiful place in the world: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Calder’s renown for his groove prowess stretches well beyond the natural borders of Jackson Hole, however. His achievements include high-profile gigs with internationally-acclaimed artists and performances from Idaho to South Carolina and everywhere in between.
Calder’s musical journey began in the soul-rich area of Detroit, Michigan. He started out as a trombone player, but soon picked up the bass as a second instrument. Calder continued to nurture his budding career through high school, taking advantage of numerous opportunities along the way.
Calder was recruited to play in the Oakland University Jazz Band at the age of 16, which resulted in some significant acquaintances. The band was led by Marvin “Doc” Holladay, a seasoned veteran of all the great jazz bands of his day, including Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Thad Jones, and countless others. The band also occasionally enlisted local and regional professionals such as Hank Jones, Johnny Trudell, and J.C. Heard for performances. He went on to study jazz at the University of Michigan, under renowned educator Ed Sarath.
Upon Graduation from college in ‘92, Andy Calder moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he has lived since. His career as a bassist really began to blossom. He also picked up extra work as a sound engineer and promoter/producer at the Mangy Moose Saloon, where he worked with numerous groups such as Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Eric Burden, Leo Kottke, Arlo Guthrie, Derek Trucks, Maceo Parker, Galactic, Rob Wasserman, Burning Spear, Spearhead, John Entwistle, and a whole slew of others.
Over the years, Andy Calder has developed a reputation as one of the Rockies’ premier bassists. Touring artists choose him as their preferred sideman, because of his flexibility and ability to groove in any situation. Credits as a sideman include shows with Tom Rush, Willie Waldman, Larry Coryell, and Rick Danko, among others. Out-of-town bands that frequently invite Calder to sit in include Tony Furtado, DJ Logic, Ray White, and Liquid Soul.
Andy Calder currently keeps himself very busy playing in a multitude of Jackson-based bands. Waist Deep is an incredible original rock band. The Soul Impressions are a successful soul/funk/rhythm & blues band that maintains a relentless performance schedule. One Ton Pig plays outlaw country music. Fat Albert focuses on contemporary soul jazz. SuperSwag performs hard rock and heavy metal. Tram Jam is a group that plays every Saturday during the winter at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. That’s right: an outdoor gig, every week, all winter long! It’s a tough job, but it affords the members the Holy Grail of the ski-bum lifestyle: a free season pass!
Calder also does a fair amount of freelancing in a variety of situations. He is a first-call session player at Aspen Studios, and he regularly donates his talents to community theatre, high school productions, and other local productions. He also teaches privately, and he is a founder and staff instructor of the hugely successful Jackson Hole Rock and Roll Camp. Calder is unquestionably one of the most diverse bassists in the region, and his future looks bright, indeed!
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