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Artist
Andy J. Forest & Snaphots
2+ albums
blues rockbluesharmonica
about
Andy J Forest - Harmonica - Vocals - Frattoir Born on May 10th 1955 Born in 1955, Andy has been playing harmonica and singing professionally since 1977. He has recorded 7 LPs, 12 cds and two 45s. These recordings feature mostly Forest’s original songs. After living in Europe for ten years he returned to his home New Orleans in 1991 where he plays in clubs and frequently goes on tour in Europe and Canada. Early influences were Sonny Terry, Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Taj Mahal and Charlie Musselwhite - to name a few. He has played on stage with B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Shines, Champion Jack DuPree, James Booker and many other greats of the Blues. He has written scores of songs, one novel which was published in 3 languages (Letter From Hell) and paints “outside” art, mostly of blues and jazz singers. Andy’s cd “Real Stories: of love labor and other man-made catastrophies” for Slang Records won “Best Blues Album” of 2007 in the Best of The Beat Awards of New Orleans. The CD “NOtown Story: The Triumph of Turmoil” was Nominated for another Best of The Beat Award for 2010. The latest CD "Other Rooms" available at Louisiana Music Factory and CDbaby Between 1985 and 1990 Andy acted in a dozen films for mostly Italian productions doing supporting and lead roles. As of October 2010 he began making videos and short films professionally. So far Andy has done about 50 productions for local New Orleans Bands and a
why this is interesting
# Why This Album Merits Attention Forest's work represents a thoughtful engagement with American blues harmonica tradition while pursuing genuinely original compositional directions. Drawing from foundational influences—Sonny Terry, Little Walter, and others—he demonstrates how deep knowledge of a genre need not constrain artistic vision. The album's distinction lies in its balance: respecting harmonica's storied vocabulary while developing distinctive vocal and instrumental arrangements rooted in his own songwriting. Having lived across continents and returned to New Orleans, Forest brings cross-cultural perspective to blues fundamentals. Rather than revivalism or radical departure, this represents informed artistic evolution—work that rewards listeners interested in how tradition and individual voice negotiate with each other.
