Austin Piazzolla Quintet

The Austin Piazzolla Quintet has been stunning audiences since late 2009. Founded by violinist James Anderson, Austin Piazzolla Quintet specializes in the music of the late Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. APQ continues in the Nuevo Tango tradition with unique arrangements of Piazzolla’s classic compositions, breathtaking original compositions in the Nuevo Tango tradition, and talented improvisation.
In the summer of 2010, APQ released their first studio album – “Libertango” – to sold out audiences in Austin and San Antonio. APQ has held residencies at numerous venues in Austin, packed both dance and concert halls, has been featured in numerous music festivals, and has toured in support of their album. APQ features some of the finest talent on the Austin music scene today, with experienced musicians coming from diverse backgrounds and educated at some of the world’s finest music schools.

James Anderson - Violin
James Anderson has been hailed by critics as a violinist “who bucks tradition,” a “world class violinist, improviser, and composer,” and “the most swinging violinist in Colorado.” A Fort Collins, Colorado native and violinist since age five, James is at home in a number of musical arenas including classical, jazz, tango, bluegrass, and rock to name a few. Already an award winning violinist after graduating from high school in 2003, James continued his music studies at the University of Northern Colorado with a violin scholarship. While at UNC, James became an active performer on the Colorado Front Range – performing more that 100 concerts of all types every year – and would become the concertmaster of the various, award winning UNC orchestras.
After graduating with honors, James was accepted to the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England for graduate studies. While in England, James became a regular on the vibrant London jazz scene while studying alongside some of the world’s finest classical performers such as the Belcea String Quartet and the London Symphony Orchestra. James has been featured in concert halls around the globe including London’s Wigmore and Barbican Halls, and the Sala Mozart in Zaragosa, Spain. James has performed with some of world’s greatest fiddlers such as Mark O’Connor, Doug Kershaw, Christian Howes, and Darol Anger, has collaborated with such pop artists as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Marcia Ball, Stanton Moore, Ben Taylor, and Fyfe Dangerfield, and recently recorded for the soundtrack to the major motion picture “Bernie” starring Jack Black. Now based in Austin, Texas, James is an in demand violinist and teacher on the vibrant music scene.

Jonathan Geer - Piano, Composer
Jonathan Geer is a pianist and composer, born in the epic state of Texas. He spent his formative years in Waxahachie, the cultural and social hub of the state. In 2001, Jonathan graduated with a degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has worked with many film directors locally as well as internationally. His music has appeared on American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, the BBC, Access Hollywood and numerous other shows. He has also composed soundtracks for games appearing on Mac, PC, Nintendo DS and iPhone/iPad.

Mike Maddux - Accordion
Mike Maddux has played, on piano and accordion, everything from Colombian vallenato and cumbia to jazz. He is a long time participant in the Austin music scene, but has never been as excited, or been as challenged, as he is playing the music of Astor Piazzolla. Currently he is kept quite busy with APQ, the vallenato and cumbia band Cerronato, San Antonio’s world jazz group Le Monde Caché, and various other projects.

Pat Harris
G. Pat Harris is a bassist, songwriter, composer and arranger who has his feet planted in Americana, jazz and classical traditions. Originally from Michigan, he has had the honor of performing with many extraordinary musicians in countless different musical settings.
A student of Edward Fedewa and John Fremgen, Pat graduated magna cum laude from Central Michigan University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Bass Performance with a minor in philosophy. In 2009, Pat earned his Master’s degree in Jazz Performance with academic honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
In October 2009, Pat independently released his first album as a leader titled “Live 4/9/09? which is available at all shows and through this website. He has also performed on “Walk the Path” with the Peter Stoltzman Trio and the debut album of Leah and the Moonlighters.
Currently, Pat has been writing music, performing and recording with singer/guitarist Anna Mae Mitchell for a new album scheduled for a November 2011 release. It features 12 original songs recorded at Greenhaven Studios in Austin, TX. He is also the coordinator and an instructor for the Austin Live Music Academy and is the instructor of bass at Concordia University.

Chris McQueen
Chris grew up in Austin, TX and st