ABOUT
Beginning his journey in Eden Valley, a small South Australian country town with a population of only 200, guitarist/composer/content creator Quentin Angus has been based in the world's Mecca for jazz—New York City—since 2010, where 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.
As a content creator, Angus has worked with Universal, Impulse, and Verve Records, and is an endorsing artist of Elixir Strings and DVMark Amps.
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Since his arrival he has received national and international recognition for both his guitar playing and composing. This includes an APRA Art Music Award for 'Excellence in Jazz' (2012), subsequent nominations in 2013 ('Excellence in Jazz') and 2014 ('Work of the Year'), winning three ASCAP 'Young Jazz Composer Awards' (2012/2013/2015), five Downbeat Magazine Awards in the 'Composition' (2011/2012/2014) and 'Soloist' (2012/2014) categories, and being named the Channel 9 'Young Achiever of the Year' (Arts Category/2013).
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Described by critics as "Lord of the strings"– The Age (Michael Dwyer), "The Future of Jazz Composition"– Paul Williams (ASCAP), and "Exuberant, richly melodic and smartly arranged"– Richard Kamins (Culture Creature), Angus has been leaving audiences in awe around the world with performances in Holland, Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. This includes appearances at the 'Montreux International Jazz Festival' (Switzerland), 'Melbourne International Jazz Festival' (Australia), and 'Jazz Hoeilaart Festival' (Belgium), along with the release of three critically acclaimed albums as a band leader, ‘In Stride’ (2018), described as “Eclectic, dynamic and lyrical” – Dragon Jazz, 'Perception' (2013), described as "A truly special and essential recording" – Jazz Inside Magazine (Eric Harabadian), and 'Retrieval Structure' (2011), described as "fresh, sophisticated, vibrant and formidable"– All About Jazz (Edward Blanco).
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He holds a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), awarded with a 'Deans Commendation', a Master of Music Degree (Jazz Performance) under the tutelage of jazz great John Abercrombie, awarded 'Summa Cum Laude', and a Bachelor of Music Degree (Jazz Performance). Angus' is the author of five original transcription books of Gilad Hekselman improvisations: 'Splitlife' (2012), 'Words Unspoken' (2012), 'Hearts Wide Open' (2012), 'This Just In' (2013), and 'Homes' (2015). He has also been published by 'MelBay', 'Jazz Heaven', and the 'NZMiC' music journal along with conducting presentations of his academic research at music conferences across Australasia.
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Angus' has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries Ari Hoenig, Kevin Hays, Jon Gordon, Shai Maestro, Colin Stranahan, Linda Oh, Rogerio Boccatto, Jo Lawry, Elliot Mason, and Will Vinson. As part of his formal academic education, he has received instruction from Jason Moran, Nate Smith, John Riley, Todd Coolman, Hal Galper, Jonathan Kreisberg, Randy Johnston, Pat Martino, Adam Rodgers, and Carmen Lundy.