New York-based composer/performer Andy Clausen presents “Heart of Tones - Solo Trombone at The TANK” a two-volume set to be released on Westerlies Records in 2024. Recorded in the profound reverberation of a converted railroad water silo now known as the TANK Center for Sonic Arts in Rangely, CO, new original works are presented alongside existing repertoire spanning five centuries of musical history. From medieval chant, to shape-note hymns, to Ellington ballads, to works from contemporary composers Nico Muhly and Jeff Beal, and sonic meditations from Pauline Oliveros, expect the unexpected through a program of lush brass tones, luxurious resonance, live effects processing and looping.

Andy Clausen is a New York-based trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator. A sought-after touring and studio musician across genres, Andy has worked with artists including Joanna Newsom, Fleet Foxes, Jon Batiste, Common, Justin Vernon, Aaron Dessner, Feist, Sylvan Esso, Vieux Farka Touré, Celisse, John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis, Samora Pinderhughes, Dave Douglas, Haley Heynerickx, Caroline Shaw, Gabriel Kahane, Nico Muhly, and Conrad Tao.

Andy is a founding member of The Westerlies, an acclaimed new music brass chamber ensemble. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along, creating music that is "folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous" - NPR.

In addition to his performance work, Andy is an active composer for film, television, and radio, contributing original music to NBC, MSNBC, Showtime, The Michelle Obama Podcast, PBS, NPR, The New York Times, Blue Chalk Media, The Whitney Museum, and Freedom House.

Andy is a graduate of The Juilliard School and in 2021 joined the faculty at The New School as an artist in residence and professor of trombone and composition. In 2023 Andy completed a seven-year tenure as Artistic Director for Jazz at New York Youth Symphony. In addition, Andy works with thousands of students each year through The Westerlies’ educational initiatives and residencies across the country. 

Andy is a Conn-Selmer, Eventide, and Moog artist.

"A melody from Andy Clausen is pure moonlight. It’s lovely and magical, full of warmth, and it can brighten up the room. But moonlight also is a source of mystery, with ominous overtones and an electric tension." - Bandcamp Daily

"folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” - NPR

“Chamber music with bracing melodies and, crucially, an undeniable sense of fun” - L.A. Times

"an alluring, whimsical, and just-plain-cool mix of jazz, classical, and experimental music. Challenging music that doesn’t shy away from also being pretty." - eMusic

“sleek, dynamic large-group jazz, a whirl of dark-hued harmony and billowing rhythm…The intelligent sheen of Mr. Clausen’s writing was as striking as the composure of his peers…It was impressive, and not just by the yardstick of their age.” - The New York Times