People / Teaching Artists

Andy Abad

Versatile guitarist Andy Abad is best known for his mastery of a wide spectrum of pop,  rock, and world music. In addition to electric, acoustic, and nylon-string guitar he also  performs and records with the Spanish laud, the Cuban tres and the Mexican requinto.  Andy is currently the guitarist for Jennifer Lopez, and he is also an accomplished  composer with music in several television shows as well as a Latin Grammy nominated  producer. Andy studied at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance.  His first big break came in 1999 when he was chosen to tour with Marc Anthony as  member of both his pop and salsa bands. In 2001 he toured the world Backstreet Boys.  While on a break from that tour, Andy was invited as a featured performer to record with  Bonnie Raitt on an inspiring African tune called “Hear Me Lord” for her album Silver  Lining. As a composer Andy has placed two main title theme songs for the food network  in 2022, an end credit original song placement for the Netflix hit movie “Christmas With  You”, and placed over 120 pieces of music for TV and film since 2022. He is also very proud to be on the pioneer teaching staff of USC’s Pop/Commercial  Music Dept