Biography

Though only 21 years of age, Andrew Douglas is already known as perhaps one of the top bagpipers in North America. Andrew began learning pipes at the age of 8 from his father, Bruce. It was from Bruce that he learned many of the fundamentals that would eventually lead him to his current success. After teaching him the basics, Bruce sent Andrew to Donald Lindsay, the renowned player and piobaireachd teacher in order to learn the skill of competitive piping. Donald taught Andrew extensively on the art and importance of musical playing a trait that is all too often overlooked in the piping world. At Donalds Invermark College of Piping, Andrew had the unique opportunity to study under many of the great pipers of our time such as Alasdair Gillies, Jack Taylor, Angus MacColl, Andrew Wright and Jack Lee.

Andrew quickly progressed through the amateur ranks in the Eastern United States. In 1998, his successes earned him a scholarship to St. Andrews College in Ontario, where he would have the opportunity to study under two-time Clasp winner Jim McGillivray. Jim helped Andrew develop into a mature competitive player. At the age of 14, Andrew was one of the youngest players ever to win the Nicol-Brown Chalice Invitational contest, which featured the best amateur players in North America. At 16, Andrew became a professional player, and that very same year Jack Lee invited him to play with the four-time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. Andrew continues to play with SFU and his compositions have been featured in competition medleys and on the bands most recent album, On Home Ground.

Andrews awards in Scotland include: 1st prize in the B Strathspey and Reel at the Argyllshire Gathering, 1st prize in the prestigious MacGreggor Memorial Piobaireachd Contest at Oban, and 3rd and 4th places in the 2005 Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness. In addition, Andrew recently won the overall professional piping award at the Pleasanton Games in California and the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association Championship in New York.

Away from competitive piping, Andrew has a passion for the integration of the bagpipe with other forms of music and with other instruments. He is a fluent drummer, and a composer of contemporary music for all instruments, including the computer. Andrew is currently a third year music major at Simon Fraser University, where he has studied with the famous Canadian composers Owen Underhill, David McIntyre, and Barry Truax. His new album Expression features all aspects of his musical interests and is entirely self performed.

The Andrew Douglas Band was formed in 2005, and has gigged the local Vancouver, Canada scene. Andrew's upcoming release, Cill Criosd, features the expansive "plugged in" sound of the band, and lead guitarist Matt Griffin. A preview of the album can be heard here!