Dirk Quinn
... is a Philadelphia based guitarist who has utilized nearly a decade of steady performing to develop a unique and progressive style - one that sits somewhere between jazz, funk and rock.
Initially attracted to the guitar as a teenager after being introduced to classic rock giants such as Led Zeppelin and The Who, Quinn’s thirst for the unique and bizarre soon had him jamming along to the more radical and daring Mahavishnu Orchestra and the humorous, bass-laden noise of Primus. Playing virtually non-stop with countless musical projects afforded him ample opportunity to hone his chops. It wouldn’t be long before the refining of his own artistic message coupled with a fresh, new outlook and a deeper musical/life philosophy opened up to him the world of jazz. Miles, Coltrane, Monk and Brubeck along with the more contemporary sounds of Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ahmad Jamal and Jaco Pastorius began heavily influencing his musical direction. Liberated by the idea of free improvisation, he was finally able to realize and focus his musical vision.
In 2007 Quinn made his long-awaited recording debut releasing his self-titled CD - "Dirk Quinn". Working the club and coffee house circuit, Quinn became increasingly in demand playing as many as three gigs a day while getting the occasional call to share the stage with musical legends such as Jimmy Bruno, Jim Weider (The Band), Rodney Holmes (Santana), Chico Huff (Pat Martino, John Swana), Jef Lee Johnson (George Clinton, David Sanborn), and Sam Kininger (Soulive) - each performance steadily garnering more recognition for Quinn, who believes in winning fans one by one on the merit of his own music.
"QuinnTet", his latest CD release, features “thoughtful, original melodies flowing seamlessly over groove-heavy rhythms; intricate song structures giving way to strongly expressive, organic improvisations.” Drawing inspiration from every musical genre, his solo acoustic sound has been compared to the guitar “pyrotechnics” of Keller Williams and Michael Hedges, while his full band compositions bear resemblances that range from the honest, urban funk of Soulive to the brave experimentation of Medeski, Martin and Wood.
Surrounding himself with a group of extremely talented and like-minded musicians, Quinn has been playing shows up and down the east coast while receiving an ever increasing amount of media attention. His music has now been featured on over 80 radio stations worldwide and gets daily spins in his hometown of Philadelphia. Quinn and the band have also performed live numerous times on Fox 45's morning show in Baltimore and have had the great pleasure of guesting on Gene Shay’s Sunday night radio show on WXPN and Jeff Duperon’s “Straight Ahead” jazz program on WRTI.
The band’s high energy and musical interplay routinely attract listeners that are admittedly more accustomed to lyric-based music. With great melodic sensibilities, rhythmic experimentation and an accessible modern edge, the Dirk Quinn Band is jazz/funk improvisation at its most exciting!
PRESS/REVIEWS
"The horn work, the fluid harmonies, and the interplay between the soloist and the live rhythm section are wonderful all the way through. From the gritty guitar solos and Wes Montgomery inspired octave lines to the gentle Rhodes breakdowns... this is a well informed, articulate and consistently well played, creative, strong work. Hats off to the whole team. "
Taxi - The world's leading A&R company (Aug 1, 2008)
“Mixed metered funk smolders under limber melodies in performances by this Philly-based band.”
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (January 11th, 2008)
"On the jazzy-funky side for sure...
Mixed meter, progressive soloing and melodic sensibilities point toward an accessible yet modern sound. The melodies have a memorable quality and stand on their own as original and unique.
This is a very refreshing sounding group with an adventurous ethos. At the same time the music is in an accessible place; not too out as to scare the uninitiated away. People who can feel the funk and folks who have listened to jazz should be able to sit down at the same table and dig this music. "
- Taxi, The world's leading A&R company (Sep 20, 2006)
“While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what Quinn’s appeal is, because both the musician and the music have so many endearing qualities, our best guess is that it’s partially his scruffy, approachable appearance and funky jazz melodies, but that more importantly, his audience can see and hear the passion that he pours into every note he plays.
His honesty and raw enthusiasm are also evident in one of his main musical styles: improvisation.”
- Rachel Perry, PLAY Magazine (Dec 6, 2006)
“This guy is really amazing, perhaps THE best live guitarist I’ve ever seen. The chord movements and rhythms are unique and light-hearted. I was enthralled by his fantastic talent, energy, and passion.”
- iTunes review (April 14th, 2007)
“This stuff is slammin’!”
- Rafe Gomez, host of the nationally syndicated radio show “The Groove Boutique” (August 19, 2007)
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