Andy Narell is an American steelpan musician who began playing the instrument as a child in Queens, New York, through a youth music program started by his father. Along with his brother, he performed in a steel band called the Steel Bandits, gaining early recognition through concerts, television appearances, and performances at major venues such as Carnegie Hall. Under the guidance of renowned steelpan pioneer Ellie Mannette, Narell developed his musical skills and later studied music at University of California, Berkeley.

After graduating in 1973, Narell launched a successful career as a jazz and steelpan artist, founding the Hip Pocket label and releasing his debut album, Hidden Treasures, in 1979. He became known for blending Caribbean music, Latin jazz, and R&B, and performed with groups such as Caribbean Jazz Project and artists including Paquito D’Rivera and Béla Fleck.

Narell also made history in 1999 as the first foreigner to compose and arrange music for Trinidad’s prestigious Panorama steelband competition, leading the Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra to the finals. His innovative arrangements, later created for Birdsong, introduced new musical ideas to the competition, though some traditionalists criticized them as being too jazz-oriented or avant-garde. Today, he is regarded as one of the most influential figures in bringing the steelpan into modern jazz and international music.