Andy Ostwald grew up in Castro Valley, California. He began studying piano at the age of six, improvising at the age of eleven, and playing jazz gigs at eighteen. He received a Bachelor's degree in piano performance from San Jose State University. There, he pursued his interest in jazz, classical, and Indonesian music. He also studied in New York with renowned jazz pianist, Harold Mabern.

Andy's approach to jazz reflects a love for the early "stride piano" tradition as well as for bebop and contemporary styles. He has played with numerous Bay Area artists at venues such as Yoshi's, The Great American Music Hall, the Plush Room, and the Concord Jazz Festival, and has toured extensively with singer, Diane Witherspoon.