Andy Simpkins


Andrew Simpkins was an American jazz bassist.
Born in Richmond, Indiana, he first became known as a member of the group The Three Sounds, with which he performed from 1956 to 1968. After that, until 1974, he was a member of pianist George Shearing's group, and from 1979 to 1989 toured with singer Sarah Vaughan. Throughout and after that time, during which he settled in Los Angeles, Simpkins became respected as a top-quality bassist and widely known as a solid and reliable studio musician. He performed with singers Carmen McRae and Anita O'Day, instrumentalists Gerald Wiggins, Monty Alexander, Buddy DeFranco, Don Menza, and Stéphane Grappelli, and many others. He recorded three albums as a leader.
He also played acoustic bass on the 1997 covers album by artist Pat Boone.
Simpkins died of stomach cancer in Los Angeles.

Discography

With The Three Sounds
With Pat Boone
With Kenny Burrell
  • Up the Street, 'Round the Corner, Down the Block
  • Heritage
With Benny Carter
With Teddy Edwards
  • Blue Saxophone
With Victor Feldman
  • Merry Olde Soul
With Lalo Schifrin
With George Shearing and Stéphane Grappelli
With Joe Williams and George Shearing
With Sarah Vaughan