Dirk Quinn Band

“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.”
(April 14th, 2007) - iTunes.com

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) - PLAY Magazine

This is real jazz of the new generation at its finest. Even listeners who aren’t used to music without vocals can get into Quinn’s emotive lead lines over the great base song laid down by his band. John Mayer wants you to believe he’s a jazz player, but if you want to hear a real jazz player, check out the Dirk Quinn Band.

The groups sophomore album QuinnTet was released earlier this year and the band has been gigging ever since. The structures of the bands songs range from the acid jazz of Medeski, Martin and Wood to a more rocking version of jazz like the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Quinn’s guitar lines sound like something Omar Rodriguez Lopez of the Mars Volta would write but instead of frantic post-hardcore, Quinn keeps it firmly based in jazz. - Phrequency.com

“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

“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.”
(Sep 20, 2006) - Taxi - The world's leading A&R company

Friday, September 19, 2008
Album Review

Dirk Quinn Band
QuinnTet

The sophmore release from the Dirk Quinn Band, entitled "QuinnTet," brings out the human side of his work, noted Quinn. "We were able to play it live, which makes it more coherent," said Quinn. "It has multiple points of view, and it's a step toward how I would ideally want to play music." With funky riffs like "Money Bus," Quinn definitely gets his point of view across, while "O.U.R." features hard hitting trumpet beats overtop some fine guitar playing. They manage to bring out a smooth variation of rise and fall in "Covert Mini-Putt." My personal favorite on this CD is "Davel's Return," which is steady jazz guitar at its finest. As Quinn once noted "This CD has an earthy side that makes it feel better. All of the tracks (nine in total) were done live in the studio and the quality comes across more honestly.” Quinn and his band log a lot of miles as they perform throughout the East Coast. Quinn himself performs four to five days a week, some days with multiple shows. This hard work has helped Quinn and his ensemble forge a sound that makes "QuinnTet" one of the finest jazz releases I've ever heard.


Dennis J. Wright
The Phoenix Music Review (Sep 19, 2008) - The Phoenix

“Quinn is a 33-year-old jazz/funk guitarist with the sophistication and talent of what I suspect makes jazz legends. His writing, arranging and playing is prodigious and evocative; his music is a seductive confluence of passion and tenderness; intensity and lightheartedness. This is the kind of jazz the novice can get into. It’s got the right mix of smoothness and funk even for the beginner while keeping the jazz enthusiast mesmerized.” - Roberta Perry - 10-16, Inc.

As much as I love jazz, sometimes there are groups out there that use this great style only as an excuse to show off their individual chops. But every once in a while a band of compositionally minded masters cook up just the right recipe where the aromas of inventiveness share the stage with incredible instrumental virtuosity. So with that in mind please allow me to introduce you to some giants of their genre, the “Dirk Quinn Band” from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Melodic inspirations mixed with sizzling grooves are the foundation from which great solos are launched by the members of this fine band. And each of their improvisational adventures will take you to the highest creative level that any musician could be reaching for. The many musical colors and textures glowing from the Dirk Quinn Band will keep you playing track after track and being thankful that you have their CD in your collection.

With Dirk Quinn on guitar, Mike Borowski on keys, Joe Baldacci on drums, Chris Aschman on Trumpet and steel drums, Elliott Levin on sax and flute, and Stephen Kurt playing incredible bass, you will definitely have their music sitting right next to your other favorite CD’s where it’s easy to find when you are in the mood to hear the very best.

I also know that you will want to visit them at their link below and welcome them to our family of independent musicians from around the world. This is the kind of group that keeps our motor running and convinced that the very best are yet to be discovered. – JJ Rocks

You can visit them here: http://www.myspace.com/dirkquinnband

(May 2009) - St. Croix Music Magazine