ScoreSmith's founder and project composer is Andy Parsons. In founding ScoreSmith, he has applied years of experience as a composer, music technologist, recording artist and performer to bring versatile, creative musical scores to film, television, online media and games.

Andy's writing has been featured in commissioned performances, documentaries, film, and online media, as well as on numerous recordings with his own and other groups. The performance of his compositions is essential to Andy's writing process. Keeping an active performing roster helps him to infuse ScoreSmith projects with the energy and edge of live music.

Having worked on "both sides of the board" as both a composer/producer and as a session musician, Andy brings a well-rounded perspective to ScoreSmith projects. According to documentary producer Michael Eldridge, "Andy's musical creativity and approach to collaboration, as well as his work ethic and attention to detail, make him a pleasure to work with and an asset to any project. He hones in quickly on the musical needs of the show, and his use of the ScoreSmith website as a 'listening post' makes adjustments quick and painless. He's an excellent composer in any genre..."

Andy's writing is accessible yet maintains a recognizable flair for distinctive creative elements of melody and harmony. A new crop of his small ensemble compositions was released in 2003 with "Flip," his third recording as a leader on the Sons of Sound label. The "Flip" band consists of the legendary John Patitucci (bass), Ben Monder (guitar), and long-time collaborator Gene Lewin (drums). Andy was a semifinalist in the 2002 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, where he performed original music to the kudos of judges Wayne Shorter, George Coleman, and others. Andy was honored to have been included on the 2002 WKCR Musician's Show roster, which hosts guest artists on the historic Columbia University jazz radio station. The list of prior guests includes Joe Lovano, Paul Motian, and Chick Corea.

Andy's music has been described as "eclectic" by critic Ira Gitler and "masterful, full of wonderful colors and surprise twists and turns" by jazz great Bob Mintzer. Andy has achieved a unity of composing and playing that makes his work instantly recognizable and very much in demand. He is currently composing music to be featured in 2 upcoming A&E documentaries. In reviews, Andy's style of composition has been compared with that of Wayne Shorter, whom he cites as a strong influence. But his music is forging ahead and his goal is to present his listener with jazz music that is steeped in tradition, but borrows and extends elements of popular harmony and groove.

Parsons' resume as a sideman is impressive and ever-growing. He has toured America and Japan and worked with Rez Abbasi, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, Glenn Miller Orchestra, David Sanborn and Gil Goldstein, and David Berger's Duke Ellington Projects. His recorded work, in addition to 3 recordings of original music as a leader, includes recording with Michael Holober, Akira Tana, Jay Leonhart, and broadway vocalist Jodi Stevens. Recently released recordings from Mr. Leonhart and Ms. Stevens feature Andy prominently.

Andy attended the Eastman School of Music, and during his residency there lectured in jazz theory. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Tufts University. He earned his masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied compostition with Maria Schneider and Bob Mintzer, and orchestration with the late great Manny Albam. As a student, Andy won numerous scholarships and awards including a first place finish in Downbeat magazine's student music competition.

Andy is honored to have been selected as a finalist in the 2003 Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers Competition for his work on the silent film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari." A panel of notable Hollywood scoresmiths led by legend Elmer Bernstien chose 10 finalists from over 500 international composers. For his upcoming dance comission "Miss Conception," Andy was awarded a Meet the Composer grant. He is also curently at work on his next recording which will include an ambitious array of new pieces. For more information about Andy's performing groups and live dates, please visit andyparsonsmusic.com. Andy is proud to be a BMI composer.

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