Andrew Bird

A classically trained violinist, Andrew Bird studied music for much of his life, during which he developed a talent for merging American and European folk traditions with jazz, swing and calypso, creating a distinct style. Bird released his first solo album, "Music of Hair" in 1996, a record that displayed his skills on the violin. He soon joined up with the band Squirel Nut Zippers, with whom he recorded three albums, finding moderate commercial success.

Bird then acted as bandleader for his project, Bowl of Fire, releasing the albums "Thrills," "Oh! the Grandeur" and "The Swimming Hour" between 1999 and 2001, gaining widespread critical acclaim for his efforts, yet was unable to garner a large following, often only playing to handfuls of people at his gigs. However, following an impromptu solo performance after his bandmates could not attend, Bird received a rapturous reception, prompting his decision to go solo in 2003.

His solo debut, "Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs" was released on Ani DiFranco's label, Righteous Babe, in 2005. The record displayed an indie-folk sound, featuring an array of instruments all played by Bird himself. In 2006, Bird signed to Fat Possum Records, through which he released "Armchair Apocrypha," a collaboration with electronic artist Martin Dosh. The album was warmly received, prompting appearances on the "Late Show with David Letterman," amongst several high profile performances. "Noble Beast" in 2009 continued Bird's eclectic explorations, also released with a bonus CD of instrumental pieces.

Having dabbled with film composition for Jonathn Segal's "Norman," Bird returned to his solo work in 2012, with "Break It Yourself." The companion album, "Hands of Glory" arrived later that year, continuing to find critical praise and a growing number of listeners. WIth his newly formed backing band, a seventh album was released in 2014, "Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of…" a collection of covers of the Handsome Family, an act also hailing from Chicago, US.