The musician is touring in support of a new album
Andy McKee, the celebrated acoustic guitarist known for his mesmerizing original compositions, is headed to Jammin Java on March 16. With a storied career that has taken him to more than 40 countries, McKee brings his unique and heartfelt music to audiences, showcasing the universal language of music devoid of words.
“It’s been a couple of years since I have played Jammin Java, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I have a new album coming out this summer and it’s also the 20th anniversary of an album of mine called ‘Art of Motion,’ and I have a re-recording of that which will be coming out in the fall. So, I’ll be playing some older tunes and some new tunes, too.”
The new album has been years in the making and is something of a more mature sound.
“I’ve had some tunes on the back burner for a number of years and I noticed my writing style has changed over the years. I’m a little more discerning for what I’m coming up with,” McKee said. “I’m trying to focus more on melody and atmosphere and feeling with the music. When you come out as a solo guitar player, there can be a perception you are this guitar-centric focused thing, and it’s all difficult and flashy guitar stuff, but I wanted to back off from that and dive into instrumental music and show why I was moved by it.”
He was 12 when he first heard Eric Johnson on the radio and fell in love with the guitar sound, spending all his time practicing and playing.
“It felt like there was a story in the music and the guitar felt so expressive,” McKee said. “I was shy when I was a kid, and it felt like music would be a way to express some feelings and the guitar let me paint a picture with the music.”
Being from Kansas, he wasn’t sure how he was going to make a living playing, but as luck would have it, the International Fingerpicking Guitar Championships were held in his home state when he was 20. He finished in third place and started to make a name for himself.
McKee skyrocketed to fame in 2006 when his original piece “Drifting” went viral on YouTube, captivating millions and marking the beginning of his influence in fingerstyle guitar. Since then, other compositions like “Rylynn,” “For My Father” and “Into the Ocean” have followed suit, collectively amassing hundreds of millions of views and inspiring a new generation of guitar enthusiasts.
McKee’s impactful style has not only garnered him a dedicated fan base but has also inspired renowned artists such as Calum Graham, Alexandr Misko, and Sungha Jung, who cite McKee as a significant influence on their music. Esteemed musicians like John Petrucci, Prince, and Josh Groban have recognized McKee’s talent and collaborated with him on various projects since he broke onto the global music scene.
Recently, McKee joined forces with fellow guitarists Trevor Gordon Hall and Calum Graham to form an acoustic guitar supergroup. The album “ triplicity “ received critical acclaim for its collaborative work. The trio will be headed to Japan later this year for a short tour.
In addition to his performances, McKee has founded and hosted the premier modern fingerstyle guitar camp, Andy McKee’s Musicarium, which attracts renowned guest instructors from around the world. The camp has been held in various locations across the U.S. and serves as a platform for aspiring guitarists to refine their craft.
“This is our 10th year, and I’m really excited for this year which looks to be our biggest one ever,” he said. “It’s for all levels for those who want to get into fingerstyle playing and we have some special guests who come out. I meet people from all over the world and it’s just been incredible.”
The Jammin Java show starts at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit unionstage.com/jammin-java.