Educational Background/Training

• James Madison University – BM – Jazz Studies (magna cum laude)
• Boysie Lowry Living Jazz Residency (2 years) – composition/jazz studies with jazz masters Warren Wolf, Aaron Parks, Ari Hoenig, Aaron Diehl, Aaron Goldberg, Don Glanden

About the Artist/Ensemble

Quentin Walston is an active composer, pianist, and music educator from Brunswick, Maryland. He performs as a solo pianist and with his jazz trio and, blending memorable melodies and striking rhythms with adventurous improvisations. Quentin believes jazz is enjoyed more when audiences have insight to what is happening in the music. Matching his exciting piano playing to engaging stories about the selections, Quentin’s listeners experience the passion that goes into each song.

Quentin Walston has released a full-length album, two EPs, and composed multiple large-scale works. His original music has also been featured on NPR and PBS stations and multiple podcasts. He has written pieces for Youth Orchestras, Music Schools, and a cross-discipline suite featuring visual artwork matched to his music.  As an educator, Quentin teaches classes, workshops, and private lessons. He also teaches through performance, where he plays and describes the styles and musicians in jazz’s dynamic history.

Educational Program Description

JAZZ HISTORY CONCERTS

Quentin brings history alive by expertly recreating the sounds of influential jazz artists and styles. Audiences of all kinds are engaged in piano performance followed by song-by-song insight and stories. No need to be a jazz enthusiast to love these concerts!

Solo concert programs include*:

• “Jazz Through the Ages”: an overview of jazz from its birth to modernity. Examples of artists and songs: “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” (Duke Ellington), “Take Five” (Dave Brubeck)
• “The Piano and Jazz”: How jazz piano changed from ragtime to boogie-woogie, to bebop and beyond! Examples of artists and songs: “St. Louis Blues” (W.C. Handy), “Misty” (Erroll Garner)
• “Jazz Master: Duke Ellington”: A concert focused on the music and development of Duke. Examples of songs: “Satin Doll”, “Take The A Train”
• “The Great Composers In Jazz”: An exploration into the biggest writers of jazz repertoire. Examples of artists and songs:  “Billie’s Bounce” (Charlie Parker), “So What” (Miles Davis)

*Contact Quentin for more concert-seminar topics, as he regularly updates his programming. Quentin can also create programs for Holiday or themed events.

WORKSHOPS

In addition to the jazz history concerts described above, Quentin also offers masterclasses for schools and extra-curricular music organizations. (Satisfies some SOL requirements). Examples of masterclass types include:

• Composition workshop: Great for small and large groups focusing of any genre of composition. Lecture includes activities, musical examples, and hands-on writing exercises.
• Jazz rhythm section workshop: Perfect for any big band rhythm section or jazz combo, beginner to advanced. Hone skills of playing together, communicating on stage, and how to develop further.
• Jazz ensemble workshop: Perfect for any level of full-sized jazz band. Learn effective techniques that apply to any piece of the band’s repertoire!

RESIDENCIES

Quentin’s love of music combines with his love of connecting with communities!  As a composer-in-residence, I offer music classes and workshops to all, while also composing* a work for that organization.  Participants grow and develop their own creative voice, which wonderfully impacts others now and in years to come.  My composition, premiered at the residency’s close, would be a final event connecting everyone involved, generating a special and memorable experience of the piece.

*My compositions can be written to be performed in three possible combinations:

• I perform solo
• I perform alongside the organization
• Performance solely by members of the organization

 

Audiences

• All Ages