Andre Hayward
Trombone, Jazz Studies
Andre Hayward, jazz trombonist for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, was born in Houston. Hayward started playing trombone and tuba at age 11, performing in his junior high school jazz band and studying with local trombonist Steve Baxter. He attended Texas Southern University, and his first professional gig was with trumpetist Roy Hargrove in Madrid, Spain, who he later recorded with on the album Of Kindred Souls. During the summers, he performed at Walt Disney World, backing up such stars as Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Eartha Kitt, Rosemary Clooney and others. Hayward performed for two years with Illinois Jacquet's Big Band, and also played for five years with the late singer/bandleader Betty Carter, as well as ensembles such as the Ellington Orchestra under Mercer Ellington. In 2003, he was chosen over 70 other entrants to win the $20,000 scholarship and grand prize in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Hayward can be heard performing on the Dave Holland Big Band debut album What Goes Around.