Guitarist Andy Summers of The Police

Andy Summers was born "Andrew James Somers" on December 31, 1942 in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Summers grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset, England and started playing guitar primarily as a self-taught musician. He began playing jazz guitar in local clubs by the time he was a teenager. In 1964 he became the guitarist for Zoot Money's Big Roll Band and remained with the act as it was transformed into Dantalian's Chariot in 1967, in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of psychedelic rock. Although this act - in both configurations - was popular on the London club scene, they never received widespread success or acclaim.

This gorgeous, collectible edition of Andy Summers photography of The Police is an absolute must for any serious fan. Limited edition (only 1500 produced) numbered and signed by Andy himself. All 600 photographs were selected specifically by Andy for inclusion in this book, many of which were previously unpublished.

In this unique collaboration, photographer Ralph Gibson's images of the guitar are paired with Andy's writings about the instrument. It is sure to be a delight to any guitar enthusiast or player entranced by the beauty and allure of the instrument.

Many years out of print but still often available used is Andy's first book of photography, "Throb". This collection of images of life on the road with The Police reveals the absurdity, drudgery and sometimes debauchery of the rock and roll lifestyle.

XYZ was Andy's post-Police attempt to become a front man, not just playing guitar but singing and writing pop-rock songs as well. The results, well...were honestly not all that inspiring. While some of the songs had potential and great guitar riffs, the sound overall is harmed (in my opinion) by the reliance on bad drum machine programming and Andy's iffy vocal performance. There are a few better tracks but it just doesn't come anywhere close to the glory days of The Police, not even the released single "Love is the Strangest Way."

I tend to feel this album completes a trio of similar work, including Mysterious Barricades and The Golden Wire. Combining fusion jazz, new age and rock influences it's another great instrumental collection of songs full of texture and atmosphere...but great hooks as well. Andy is supported here by a terrific line-up of other musicians including Herbie Hancock, Chad Wackerman, Bill Evans and even former bandmate Sting on bass. It's a favorite of many of Summers' greatest fans.

Summers' collaboration with John Etheridge, who played with Soft Machine, results in a soothing, relaxing album of acoustic jazz guitar. They play together beautifully and this is a wonderful album to delight fans of skillful acoustic playing.

Synaethesia is one of my favorite solo Summers' recordings, because it presents a curious and widely-ranging assortment of sounds, styles and genres. It's experimental, rocking, jazzy, atmospheric and quite a lot of fun. It's also worth checking out for the legendary Ginger Baker's contributions on drums.

Another great album featuring the great Tony Levin on bass and Gregg Bissonette on drums on most tracks, it really showcases Andy's evolution as a solo artist in the years since The Police parted ways. It begins with a new, exciting version of one of his earlier popular solo tracks, Big Thing. The rest is a combination of new material and covers of jazz favorites, really showing off Andy's love for jazz music in a wonderful modern way.

Brazilian guitarist Victor Biglione joins Summers here for covers of Brazilian works, and also songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, and George Rogers. This is an album I enjoy quite a bit when I want to feel energized; it's melodic and has a somewhat festive feeling to it. There is no other instrumentation beyond Andy and Victor's acoustic guitars, so you can really appreciate the musicianship showcased on this album.

This 1999 release celebrates the music of Thelonious Monk and blends Summers' pop sensibilities with classic jazz, and it's certainly the most traditional in sound of any of Andy's albums to this date. Police bandmate Sting lends a vocal contribution to "'Round Midnight". 

Andy works with a new collaborator here, classical guitarist Ben Verdery, and some consider this his best guitar duo work to date. This album is less jazz and more experimental and atmospheric, with some truly outstanding lead/solo guitar playing. It's well worth checking out if you are in the mood for something different and thoughtful, and there's also a scorching instrumental version of the Police classic "Bring on the Night".

For the first time since his 1987 album XYZ, Summers has recorded an album of non-instrumental tracks on the uniquely different Fundamental. Vocals are provided by popular Japanese/Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai, who also provides the lyrics for the non-English tracks. There's a sultry, smooth-jazz feel to the album as a whole and it's nice to hear Summers' recording with a vocalist again after so long.

Andy Summers has yet to slow down, and in 2015 added another title to his lengthy discography. Metal Dog is a return to the truly experimental guitarwork of his 80s collaborations with Robert Fripp, except here he is doing it all himself: guitar, keyboards, drums, and production.  The result is a fully unique sound that proves that at age 72, Andy still knows how to push the boundaries of modern music and guitar. I wonder what he'll ever come up with next?