Andrew Dowd is an Educator (Writing/English) and is the host of The Gold Standard, a weekly jazz radio show on KMHD 89.1 FM in Portland Oregon. It airs each Saturday evening from 7 to 10 PM. (Check out The Gold Standard's Facebook page!) A native of Rochester New York, Andrew's interest in jazz began in high school when he took a class in jazz history. His first research paper for this class was on the legendary bass player Charles Mingus. Andrew was playing upright bass at the time (mostly classical music) and was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

The Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theater were right down the street from Andrew's high school, and one Friday evening he attended a free concert by the Eastman Jazz Ensemble. Andrew's lifelong love affair with jazz officially began that evening.

In his spare time, Andrew collects vintage audio equipment (think analogue displays and vacuum tubes!) and collects recorded jazz on LP and tape. His collection of jazz LPs is currently at approximately 1200 records.