Andre Louis Lavoie

Andre Louis Lavoie (08/11/1993 – 03/29/2024)

A True and Precious Soul, Drummer Extraordinaire

Andre Lavoie, 30, of Silverdale, WA, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, in Nashville, TN. He was born on Wednesday, August 11, 1993, in Bremerton, WA.

As the eldest of four sons, Andre’s insatiable quest for self-teaching, a fearless love for Jesus and others, and an untouchable love and gifting for music make him the most beloved person many have ever known or met. His heart, pure and uncorrupted, gave to many hope and joy as he cherished being a blessing to others.

Andre started drumming in his first year of life, only after learning to walk. For many years, he was the primary drummer on the church worship team starting at the tender age of ten.

His father enrolled him in drum lessons – much to his disapproval at first – at age eleven until he was eighteen. He attended Central Kitsap Junior High and High Schools and was a member of the Jazz Band and Jazz Choral Band. His high school music teacher expressed to his family that he had never seen anyone drum like Andre in his entire life. Andre’s skill was simply unparalleled. This would become a pattern from Andre’s instructors marveling at his God given abilities.

Andre and two schoolmates formed the band Homeless Man and packed the local venues for three years. They were greatly admired by contemporaries and were often the go-to entertainment on nights and weekends. Many in the school district would look forward to their concerts days in advance.

Andre was not simply a sensational musician, but also a uniquely talented baseball player excelling as an infielder and pitcher. He was a singularly outstanding athlete. Andre made the Varsity team his high school freshman year and was recruited to play select baseball with the first-rate Fireballs and Narrows Baseball Club.

Andre graduated Central Kitsap High School in 2011 and received the top scholarship to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy, now known as the Los Angeles College of Music, and concentrated in the Drum Performance Program. Andre studied under the legendary professional drummers, Ralph Humphries and Joe Porcaro. His instructors, including Ralph and Joe, remarked to his family that they had never seen anyone like Andre in all their combined one-hundred plus years in the industry.

He and his brother, Stephen, formed the band Phood and continued playing on the Kitsap Peninsula and in the Seattle area. Others often misunderstood Andre’s intensity for life and music as his brilliance permeated all of which he set his hand.

In mid-August 2023, Andre moved to Nashville, TN, and began work at a large cabinet manufacturing company in Madison, TN. All while – he never neglected his musical talents – he was jamming with two groups throughout his time in Tennessee.

This life could not hold his dazzling radiance. Andre possessed a rare perspicacity about the world and his surroundings. His thoughts and ideas always left his audiences with an awe of wonder at his incisiveness.

Andre is now with his Lord, where there is no more suffering. The awful gulf he leaves in his immediate family, his musical family, and all that were privileged enough to know him will leave a lasting scar on all.

Andre was adored and well-loved by all who were blessed with his presence and friendship. We will see him when we meet again, and we will all jam together.

Andre Lavoie is survived by his father and mother, Timothy and Laura Lavoie; and his three younger brothers, Richard, Stephen, and Daniel.