Album Notes

What started as a class for individual guitarists became an opportunity
for Perry Smith, John Storie, Brady Cohan, and Matt Roberts to create
a group like none other. In reference to their west coast roots and
passion for new music, the group dubbed themselves the New West
Guitar Quartet (NWGQ).

By arranging classic jazz standards and exploring original
compositions, NWGQ established themselves as a notable jazz group
when they were all students at the University of Southern California.
As music majors, NWGQ collaborated with USC to become the first
group to receive the coveted Thornton Protégé Grant. Since the group
started in 2003 they have performed in major venues throughout
Canada, Japan, Europe and all over the Western United States.

With the release of their second album “Wide Awake” on Art Song
Music, NWGQ focuses to combine the improvisational elements of
jazz with the performance standards of a chamber group. By utilizing
all the colors of the guitar, New West Guitar Quartet creates a new
medium of chamber music.