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. He is an Associate Professor and program coordinator of jazz and popular music at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York.

Described by critics as “Lord of the strings”– The Age (Michael Dwyer), “The Future of Jazz Composition”– Paul Williams (ASCAP), and “A Force on the Scene in New York”– Nate Chinen (WBGO), 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 four critically acclaimed albums as a band leader, ‘The State of Things’ (2022), described as “One of my favourite albums to date” – Ruth Fisher (Jazz FM, UK), ‘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).

Angus was awarded an APRA Art Music Award for ‘Excellence in Jazz’ (2012), and was nominated in 2013 (‘Excellence in Jazz’) and 2014 (‘Work of the Year’). He has won three ASCAP ‘Young Jazz Composer Awards’ (2012/2013/2015), five Downbeat Magazine SMA Awards in the ‘Composition’ (2011/2012/2014) and ‘Soloist’ (2012/2014) categories, and was named the Channel 9 ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ (Arts Category/2013). As a content creator, Angus has worked with Universal, Impulse, and Verve Records.

Angus holds a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), awarded with a ‘Dean’s 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’ has been released publications by ‘Jazz Lesson Videos’, ‘PickUpMusic’,‘ ‘MelBay’, ‘Jazz Heaven’, and the ‘NZMiC’ music journal along with conducting presentations of his academic research at music conferences across Australasia.

Angus’ has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries Nate Smith, Michael Mayo, James Francis, Ari Hoenig, Kevin Hays, Jon Gordon, Shai Maestro, Colin Stranahan, Linda Oh, Rogerio Boccatto, Jo Lawry, Elliot Mason, and Will Vinson.

“This DV Jazz 12 combo is amazing! It is so lightweight and easy to transport, which is essential for NYC. It has a warm and crisp sound without overshadowing the natural sound of my semi-hollow body guitar. Highly recommend this!”