Dirk Quinn Band

Sunset is set to release Dirk Quinn's QuinnTet, a daring fresh CD from Philadelphia's finest jazz funk ensemble and the debut CD on Sunset Jazz Recordings, the newly created jazz label.

(Billboard Publicity Wire) June 12, 2008 -- Sunset is set to release Dirk Quinn's QuinnTet, a daring fresh CD from Philadelphia's finest jazz funk ensemble and the debut CD on Sunset Jazz Recordings, the newly created jazz label. Since starting his music career, guitarist Dirk Quinn has gained a name as one of the most intense jazz, soul -funk artists in the music scene, a work horse on the road playing live in places everywhere from small coffee houses to music festivals throughout the entire summer. When the guitarist began to work on his acoustic music, this year, he discovered that rather than go that direction with his follow up CD, he started creating new music with his band. The result is this nine song incredible CD by incredible jazz musicians.

"We would show up at our live shows and realize we had something special ," Dirk recalls. "I continue to play acoustic shows every week, 'Sometimes at 10AM" The guitar aficionado continues to say as he laughs. "We then began to record some of the stuff we played live. We all added some great layers to the music. And it all ended up on this new CD."

With QuinnTet, Dirk Quinn's band have taken that quintessential jump from being great performing artists to being great recording artists. Quinn's astounding guitar work has had a ground breaking effect in the live music world and he has set some high standards for his second studio CD. "Dirk wanted his next CD to be produced at a high level and he wants this CD to be more than just something for his fans to leave with at his shows," says Don Lichterman, the head of the Sunset Records group of Distributed Labels. As far what inspires Dirk Quinn -- Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Theloniuos Monk, David Brubeck along with the more contemporary sounds of Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ahmad Jamal and Jaco Pastorius -- are some of the artists that come to mind when describing his music. Lichterman goes on to say that "Quinn began heavily turning his musical direction to a more free form and improvisational sound" and "his guitar wizardry is the focal point of his live shows."

Lichterman says this is one of the best full length CDs he has listened to in a long time drawing comparisons to The Word, Robert Randolph and Soulive. "I've always wanted to bring fresh new sounds and even reinvent myself with every project; I never really wanted to ever fall into doing the same old thing all the time," says Quinn from his latest show held in Reading Pennsylvania last weekend.

Quinn has been easily recognized for his astounding abilities on his guitar. He makes no bones about knowing the time spent playing in the studio is ultimately how this CD evolved this year. "Nowadays, we have the ability to play over the basic layers that had been the basis of our music and I have learned to intertwine melodies along with a defined arrangement in each song, " he says about the new QuinnTet CD. "We did not intend to change the way the music is today, but it all needs to work within my grooves and melodies within music". Lichterman says that is what "I look for in developing music - it can be a 98 piece orchestra or one person with an acoustic guitar -- when it works, it is easy to see which is the case with these guys live." Lichterman ends the interview by saying that "this CD by Dirk is amazing for the label and I have it playing in my car all the time."

Having grown up outside of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Quinn has now made the elevation from playing tiny coffee houses around the east Coast of the United States to headlining weekend long music festivals, Quinn's goals with his music go well above his individual melodious limits. "I am making the attempt to build a new scene and a new style of jazz funk that will hopefully inspire people to say that they want to grow up playing improvisational jazz music from the Philadelphia area," he says. "I have followed the careers of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, how they evolved as artist in the jazz community and they would just play live as much as possible every day - - and I truly believe music fans always want to see live improvisational music."

You can see how Quinn has broken through to a higher level of playing with this QuinnTet CD in stores this month at Sunset Jazz Recordings. The band will play live at key events throughout the summer - a July 4th show at the Phoenixville Music festival, the Rex fest in Milford, PA and the Endless Summer Music Festival in New Jersey - along with a very special show at the World Cafe Live on WXPN will culminate the summer tour for Dirk Quinn.

"I am still creating music every day, Quinn says. "What Don (Lichterman) has done by giving us this worldwide reach is open up avenues for me to create more creative music. We have definitely elevated ou - Billboard

Dirk Quinn sets up summer tour dates that have them playing music festivals, July 4th celebration events and a special run of acoustic shows at Starbucks.

(Billboard Publicity Wire) June 15, 2008 -- Combining the intense jazz and funk sounds with exceptional guitar work, Dirk Quinn has gained critical acclaim in the world of jazz music. Quinn, together with his band, just finished up and is set to release their QuinnTet CD on Sunset Jazz label, and this summer, Quinn's summer tour dates have them playing large festivals that are hosting July 4th events and host jam band style of rock artists. This is a style of music that rarely gets too much mainstream awareness, though its aficionados are hardcore collectors of this style of music. Quinn's new CD release, QuinnTet, is being reviewed by many popular publications such as Entertainment Weekly, the New York Press and Billboard, along with many jazz industry publications. The brand new CD features incredible guitar work with many of the songs on the QuinnTet CD, derived from playing them improvisational at live shows. There is a modicum of exceptional influences that Quinn draws from like "The Word (Robert Randolph and North Mississippi All-stars)," "SoulLive" and "Medeski, Martin and Wood (MMW)."

Quinn is supported on many of the key dates by his all-star jazz styled band that includes Trumpeter, CHIS ASCHMAN, bassist JAMES COOPER and drummer JOE BALDACCI. Whether they are going off by playing spontaneous, improvisational and exploratory songs or whether Quinn is playing by himself with an acoustic guitar, the music will be the perfect compliment to these summer shows. Interpreting the clear and concise sound of jazz music to thousands of people one day (including the Phoenixville Summer Music Series, Phoenixville July 4th Festival, the Endless Summer Music Festival, the Belleview Winery Jazz Festival…) to playing for a handful of people at very special shows (Starbucks in Philadelphia) throughout the summer, bringing the music to a high level is what Quinn does best with his live music.

"Whether you get to see (Dirk) him at these festivals this summer or at the Starbucks in Philly, now is the time to see him," says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz / Sunset Records.

Whether it's because of his live shows, or because of this brand new CD, it is obvious that we will be hearing a lot from this incredible jazz artist.

Dirk Quinn's 2008 Summer Tour Dates:
6/19 - Starbucks 10th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA
6/20 - Summer Music Series, Phoenixville, PA
6/21 - Belleview Winery Jazz Fest, Landisville, NJ
6/25 - Birches - Burlington City, NJ
6/26 - Starbucks 10th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA
6/26 - Coffee Dot Comedy, Sea Isle City, NJ
6/27 - Starbucks 19th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA
6/28 - Steel City (CD Release Party), Philadelphia, PA
7/04 - July 4th Celebration-Friday Night Arts & Music Festival, Phoenixville, PA
7/05 - July Dawson Street Pub - Manayunk, PA
7/12 - Milford Music Festival - Milford, PA
7/14 - Chris' Jazz Café - Philadelphia, PA
7/18 - Robins Nest Crow Bar, Mount Holly, NJ
7/19 - REX Festival, Bechtelsville, PA
7/24 - The Coffee Dot, Sea Isle City, NJ
7/24 - The Endless Summer Festival, Paradise Lakes Campground, NJ
7/26 - Windmill Boogie Fest, Tamaqua, PA
8/01 - Rush A Palooza Music Festival, Boyertown, PA
8/02 - Gryphon Café, Wayne, PA
8/08 - Phoenixville Summer Music Series, Phoenixville, PA
8/20 - Phoenixville Summer Music Series, Phoenixville, PA
8/23 - Shine Fest "Family Picnic", Sheelers Park, PA
8/29 - Phoenixville Summer Music Series, Phoenixville, PA
9/05 - World Music Cafe, Philadelphia, PA
- Pollstar, Billboard

Dirk Quinn begins his exclusive engagement of live shows this week at the Starbucks Coffee Houses all over downtown Philadelphia.

(Billboard Publicity Wire) June 16, 2008 -- A very special run of shows have been booked at the Starbucks Coffee Houses throughout all of Philadelphia this month. Dirk Quinn, the new Sunset Jazz Recording artist will play a run of acoustic shows at the many Starbucks Coffee Houses in downtown Philadelphia. The shows will mark the beginning of a summer tour that takes Quinn to music festivals, a 4th of July Celebration event after his CD Release Party on June 28th which features Quinn with his full band.

Starting on Thursday, June 12th, Quinn will play his acoustic guitar for his fans at the different Starbucks in Philadelphia. He will continue to play at the different Starbucks stores on the following days and throughout the entire month of June. "It's a brilliant concept for both Quinn and for Starbucks" says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz and Sunset Records. "And, he (Dirk Quinn) gets to work out his material for the summer," Lichterman continues to say about the bookings throughout the Philadelphia area.

After the opening show on Thursday, Quinn will then play (see below for all Starbucks dates, locations and times) the next day on Friday at two other Starbucks in Philadelphia, and then again on Saturday at another two Starbucks located down on the famous South Street. And, then Quinn will do the same thing for the next three consecutive Thursdays and weekends in the month of June. Lichterman says that "I think we are playing every Starbucks in that market this month" says Lichterman, and "what is even more amazing is that Dirk has late night shows to play every one those nights." And, on one evening, Quinn plays the Starbucks Coffee House shows, a show featuring him at the Phoenixville Summer Series before his late night show at Haru in Philly.

All of the acoustic sets at the Starbucks are a promotional run of shows and is FREE admission for everyone.

The dates for the very special performances at the Starbucks Stores throughout Philadelphia with the locations are:

Thursday, June 12th
1PM-3PM - Starbucks - 10th Street and Chestnut Street

Friday, June 13th
Noon-2PM - Starbucks - 19th Street and Chestnut Street
3PM-5PM - Starbucks - 12th Street and Walnut Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays a Late Night Show tonight at Haru in Philadelphia, PA that begins at 10PM)

Saturday, June 14th
2PM-4PM - Starbucks - 9th Street and South Street
5PM-7PM - Starbucks - 4th Street and South Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays a Late Night Show tonight at the Gryphon Cafe in Wayne, PA, begins 9PM)

Thursday, June 19th
1PM-3PM - Starbucks - 10th Street and Chestnut Street

Friday, June 20th
Noon-2PM - Starbucks - 19th Street and Chestnut Street
3PM-5PM - Starbucks - 12th Street and Walnut Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays the Summer Music Series (Free Event) in Phoenixville, PA, begins at 7PM)
(Dirk Quinn also plays a Late Night Show tonight at Haru in Philadelphia, PA that begins at 10PM)

Saturday, June 21st
2PM-4PM - Starbucks - 16th Street and Walnut Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays the Bellview Winery Jazz Festival in Landisville, NJ that begins at 6PM)

Thursday, June 26th
1PM-3PM - Starbucks - 10th Street and Chestnut Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays a Late Night Show tonight at the Coffee Dot in Sea Isle City that begins at 8PM)

Friday, June 27th
Noon-2PM - Starbucks - 19th Street and Chestnut Street
3PM-5PM - Starbucks - 12th Street and Walnut Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays a Late Night Show tonight at Haru in Philadelphia, PA that begins at 10PM)

Saturday, June 28th
21PM-4PM - Starbucks - 9th Street and South Street
5PM-7PM - Starbucks - 4th Street and South Street
(Dirk Quinn also plays his CD Release Party at Steel City tonight that begins at 8PM)
- Billboard Media Wire

The Dirk Quinn Band plays "QuinnTet," a brand new studio CD that boasts 9 of the most incredible jazz and funk tunes.

QuinnTet is a striking and out of this world sophomore CD by Dirk Quinn with his band of incredible musicians that will also play at the CD release party this weekend. Although the CD is an obvious jazz album, Dirk beautifully portrays each song with the perfect delivery and with solid original arrangements, making this CD a one of the best jazz albums of the year. The CD has 9 of his original tracks that are in his live repertoire. The QuinnTet CD is a definite magic carpet ride that grooves from song to song and from the beginning to the end of the CD. The CD release Party is collaboration once again with many of the top jazz artists in Philadelphia (Elliot Levin, Mike Borowski, James Cooper and Joe Baldacci). They not only participated on the new QuinnTet CD, they will all play with Quinn live this Saturday night at The Steel City in Pheonixville, PA. The result should be a night of amazing music at the Steel City. These same jazz musicians all lend their own imprint all over the CD creating a very distinctive jazz and funk style of music that can be seen at their live performance this weekend. Quinn's soulful guitar playing is truly an extraordinary exploration with a rhythm, drive and groove that has you listening to song after song.

Steel City is a beautiful European-style coffee house and premiere music venue located in Phoenixville, PA which is just west of Philadelphia. The full band will be headlining with Quinn playing a full set of original jazz and funk music. Johnny Duke and the Aces will also play the Steel City this Saturday night.

For advance copies of the QuinnTet CD or to set up interviews, please contact Don Lichterman at 212.631.3615 or by email at Don.Lichterman@SunsetRecordings.com.

HERE'S THE DETAILS FOR THE RELEASE PARTY

DATE: Saturday, June 28, 2008 - One Night Only!

TIME: 8pm (Doors)

PLACE: Steel City @ 203 Bridge Street - Phoenixville, PA 19460 - (610) 933-4043, http://steelcitycoffee.stores.yahoo.net/sa6diqubajod.html - ALL AGES!

WHAT: Dirk Quinn's CD Release Concert Party for the "QuinnTet" featuring Dirk Quinn (guitar), Mike Borowski (Keyboard), James Cooper (Bass), Joe Baldacci (Drums) as well as a special guest performance by Sax player Elliot Levin (Flute and Sax).

COVER: $12 adv/$15 door.

Tickets can be purchased now at the Steel City website

- Yahoo News, Billboard Media Wire

STYLE
you said, "funk".. but it's an eclectic blend of R&B jazz and rock
elements. Good direction for Billboard's contemporary jazz charts.

MELODY
Good music in verses
Good music in choruses

STRUCTURE
Well-written structure
Good sectional contrast
Several contrasting movements.. good job (but edited version might come in
handy)

TITLE
original

OVERALL COMMENTS
A cut that's 7 minutes long kind of limits its chances for regular
rotation, but the other possibilities are endless for a live, well played
track. Film/TV cues, backgrounds and themes.. the horn work, live rhythm
section and fluid harmonies, interplay between the soloist is wonderful
all the way through. The obvious radio formats: 'contemporary jazz/smooth
jazz' radio programs across the nation. From the gritty guitar solo to
the gentle Rhodes breakdown, the Wes Montgomery inspired octave lines..
this is well informed, articulate and consistently well played, creative,
strong work.. look for online sites, radio shows featuring this style and
for TAXI listings for jazz artists, music libraries for TV/film.. this is
broadcast ready as is, in my view.. hats off to the whole team.

Ratings: (out of a possible 10)
Music 8
Marketability 8
Arrangement 9
Production 9
Engineering 9
- TAXI Review