Quentin Angus Quintet

Biography

Quentin Angus is an Australian jazz guitarist and composer who was born in Eden Valley, a small South Australian country town with a population of only 200.[1][2] He began his musical journey inspired by Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and developed his core musicianship through his entire childhood and education in Australia, including earning a Bachelor of Music Degree (Jazz Performance).[1][2] In 2010, at age 24, Angus relocated to New York City to pursue advanced studies, earning a Master of Music Degree (Jazz Performance) from SUNY Purchase College under the tutelage of jazz great John Abercrombie, awarded 'Summa Cum Laude', and subsequently completing a PhD in "Phrasing and Polyrhythm in Contemporary Jazz Guitar" with a Dean's Commendation.[1][2][4]

Since establishing himself in New York, Angus has achieved significant national and international recognition as both a performer and composer.[1][2] He is an Associate Professor of Music and program coordinator of jazz and popular music at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, a position he assumed in 2018.[3][4] His accolades include an APRA Art Music Award for 'Excellence in Jazz' (2012), three ASCAP 'Young Jazz Composer Awards' (2012/2013/2015), five Downbeat Magazine Awards in the 'Composition' and 'Soloist' categories (2011/2012/2014), and the Channel 9 'Young Achiever of the Year' award in the Arts Category (2013).[1][2][4] Critics have described him as the "Lord of the strings," "The Future of Jazz Composition," and "A Force on the Scene in New York."[1][2][4]

Angus has performed and recorded extensively throughout the world, appearing at prestigious festivals including the Montreux International Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Australia), and Jazz Hoeilaart Festival (Belgium), with performances across Holland, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.[1][2][4] He has released four critically acclaimed albums as a band leader, including 'In Stride' (2018) and 'The State of Things' (2022).[4] Beyond his performance career, Angus is an accomplished academic researcher and content creator, having published research in journals and books, presented at international music conferences, and worked with major record labels including Universal, Impulse, and Verve Records.[1][4]

Fun Facts

• Angus grew up in Eden Valley, a remote South Australian country town with a population of only 200, yet went on to become a prominent figure in New York's jazz scene.[1][2]
• Pat Martino gave Angus a draft copy of a 300+ page unpublished instructional book during a one-off lesson in 2009, which Angus still uses today in his teaching and practice.[1]
• Angus authored five original transcription books of jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman's improvisations between 2012-2015, demonstrating his commitment to deep musical analysis and education.[2]
• Despite living in New York for over 15 years, Angus still identifies as Australian and maintains his Australian accent and values from his childhood.[1]

Members

• Quentin Angus - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Abercrombie - Primary jazz guitar mentor and thesis advisor for Master's degree at SUNY Purchase College. Abercrombie emphasized developing one's own voice as a musician. (Master's thesis supervision; influenced composition approach on 2018 album) [2010-2012]
• Pat Martino - Jazz guitar legend who provided a one-off lesson in 2009. Martino gave Angus a draft copy of a 300+ page unpublished book that Angus continues to use. (Unpublished instructional manuscript) [2009]
• Tommy Emmanuel - Australian guitarist who served as Angus's first inspiration to play guitar (Musical inspiration and stylistic foundation) [Childhood/early development]
• Jason Moran - Jazz pianist and educator who provided formal instruction (Academic instruction) [During formal education]
• Hal Galper - Jazz pianist and educator who provided formal instruction (Academic instruction) [During formal education]
• Randy Johnston - Jazz educator who provided formal instruction (Academic instruction) [During formal education]
• Carmen Lundy - Jazz vocalist and educator who provided formal instruction (Academic instruction) [During formal education]

Key Collaborators

• Chad Lefkowitz-Brown - Tenor saxophone powerhouse who collaborated with Angus for his first European tour as a band leader (European tour) [2011]
• Ari Hoenig - Drumming legend who toured with Angus in Australia (Australian tour) [2016]
• Kevin Hays - Jazz pianist and frequent collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]
• Jon Gordon - Saxophonist and collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]
• Shai Maestro - Jazz pianist and collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]
• Linda Oh - Jazz bassist and collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]
• Jo Lawry - Jazz vocalist and collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]
• Colin Stranahan - Drummer and collaborator (Various recordings and performances) [Multiple projects]

Artists Influenced

• Gilad Hekselman - Jazz guitarist whose improvisations Angus transcribed and published in five original transcription books, demonstrating deep study and influence ('Splitlife' (2012), 'Words Unspoken' (2012), 'Hearts Wide Open' (2012), 'This Just In' (2013), 'Homes' (2015)) [2012-2015]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz