Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, “as a kid I listened to rock ’n’ roll, my parent’s classical music collection and whatever else was on the radio,” says Kimbel.

“Through my mother, I discovered the music of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Peter Paul and Mary, The Weavers and, through them, songs by Bob Dylan, Reverend Gary Davis and Robert Johnson, although I did not really know who they were by name.”

🎸 Andy Kimbel — Acoustic Blues Artist, Storyteller, Performer

Born and raised near Philadelphia, Andy Kimbel absorbed music like air—from his parents' classical collection to the rock 'n' roll pouring through his childhood radio. Early sparks came from the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Peter, Paul and Mary, and The Weavers—gateway artists that led him to deeper wells of songwriting in Bob Dylan, Reverend Gary Davis, and Robert Johnson.

By age 8, Andy had picked up guitar and piano; by 11, he was playing in a band. The electric guitar came next, followed by gigs across the Philly area throughout his teens. Yet his path took an unexpected turn—into the sky. A skilled aviator, Andy built a career as a jet pilot and flight instructor, logging thousands of hours across commercial aircraft.

But in the early '90s, a pilot furlough brought him back to music, and this time, the stage claimed him for good. Immersing himself in the singer-songwriter and blues scenes of New York and Philadelphia, Andy learned from legends like Doc Watson, Chris Smither, Tom Rush, and Bill Morrissey—not through textbooks, but from the front row of dimly lit clubs and coffeehouses.

With a style that blends fingerpicking finesse, improvisational spirit, and soulful vocals, Andy has become known as “a musician’s musician.” Whether crafting his own compositions or reinventing traditional standards on-the-fly, no two performances are ever the same.

Over the past 33+ years, Andy has played everything from intimate house concerts to packed festivals, special events, and national TV spots—including recurring appearances on QVC earlier in his career. Solo or with a backing band, his stage presence is both grounded and electric—a place where heartfelt grooves meet storytelling from the strings.

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