QUINTIN GERARD W. The Fnky Sax Player

Growing up in Louisiana, Quintin Gerard W. had two driving passions: music and flying. These two interests had him pondering life as both a musician and pilot. Though economic necessity at the time led him to immerse himself in music lessons and set his dreams of the skies aside, he now enjoys the best of both worlds— a thriving career as a contemporary jazz artist and a private pilot since 2001.

The saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer combines these two talents in the perfectly titled album, Cleared For Takeoff, which takes listeners on an impressive musical and thematic journey related to airplanes, flying, exotic destinations and the deeper spiritual places in his heart. The generous 14 track set begins with actual voices from air traffic controllers on “ATC Clearance (Intro)” and includes compelling titles like “Cruisin’ on Taxi Way,” “Air Beneath Your Wings,” “Attitude Indicator,” “Latin Layover,” “Visibility Is Ten Miles,” “Candlelight Flight With Me,” “Have A Safe Flight Home,” and, in an ode to his onetime adopted hometown of Los Angeles, CA, “Round Trip LAX.” Before the concept took shape, the late, legendary drummer Ricky Lawson spoke with Quintin about producing the album – but he passed away before the collaboration came to fruition. Quintin subsequently helmed the project with his long-time drummer and friend Richard “Chef RnB” Sellers.

Quintin set the stage for his exciting re-emergence in the late 2010’s with three well-received full-length albums that made him “The FnkySaxPlayer.” These popular, critically acclaimed albums showcased his dazzling array of talents as a composer, flutist, keyboardist, and soprano, alto and tenor saxophonist. First hitting the radio with his trademark mix of heartfelt intimacy and irrepressible rhythms via his 2004 debut Fnkysax, he ventured into more improvisational territory on Perseverence (2006) and returned to his blend of candlelight and Fnkysax cool on Before It’s Gone (2011).

“When I was growing up listening to bands and artists like Spyro Gyra, Brick, Slave, Sun, Earth Wind & Fire and Grover Washington, Jr., I loved how they reflected the vibe of their music on their colorful and highly artistic album covers, as if the package was not simply about the songs, but about some sort of poetic allegory relating to larger themes,” says Quintin. “Likewise, I wanted Cleared for Takeoff to not only reflect everything I love about aviation, but be a metaphor for listeners to think about their own life journeys. It’s about getting to the point in your life where you’ve figured things out, and now you can take off on your next adventure to wherever you want to go with a clearer vision. Every track gives you anuplifting roller coaster where you don’t know what’s coming next. Every time I listen, I go on that journey.”

www.QuintinGerardW.com ON STAGE Before becoming an artist in his own right, Quintin spent years as a high-profile sideman for a number of top contemporary jazz performers. On tour with Jeff Lorber in the early 90’s, he performed at festivals with Dave Koz, Najee, Norman Brown, Fourplay and Special EFX. He was also part of the renowned Jazz Fusion group, Under The Lake (formerly based in San Diego), on and off since the late 90’s, when the group opened for greats like Joe Sample and Stanley Jordan.

Both as a sideman and solo artist, Quintin has a unique and rich history as a live performer. He’s performed everywhere including Orlando, Reno, House of Blues (opening for Michael Franks) in New Orleans, Harrah’s and the Montgomery Jazz Festival in conjunction with WVAS-FM. In the 90’s when he toured with Jeff Lorber, the saxman performed at high- profile places such as Jack London Square in Oakland and the KIFM Anniversary Festival in San Diego. With Under The Lake—which recently had a reunion concert in Seattle— Quintin opened for Joe Sample at the Maui Cultural and Performing Arts Center, and Stanley Jordan at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

NOTABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES

Harrah’s Casino - New Orleans, LA Tavern on the Lake - Orlando, FL Contemporary Arts Center - New Orleans, LA House of Blues - New Orleans, LA River Walk Jazz and Blues Festival - Montgomery, AL Humphrey’s - San Diego, CA Newport Beach Jazz Festival – Newport Beach, CA

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Considering all the glorious aviation imagery connected to the album’s themes, it’s interesting to note that Quintin’s favorite song off the album is “Times Like These.” Although he says he was inspired to write it by the weird times we’re living in, the song itself is pure, atmosphere-laden, easy grooving love and light that lets his captivating alto melody shine while vocalist Nikki Allen optimistically sings “Baby it’s times like these/ When you’re all I need.” Another favorite, based on a crazy dream he had, is “Changing Signs,” which begins as a luxurious, light funk dreamscape before evolving into a blistering jazz-rocker on the combined energy of Quintin’s soprano and the fiery electric guitar of his son, budding recording artist Lemek. As a resident of Los Angeles throughout the 90’s, Quintin is especially fond of “Round Trip LAX,” —a spirited mid-tempo, light funk ballad whose mystical Old-School Soul Jazz vibe includes a wild George Dukesque synth solo and recalls the style of his time making music while living there.

Quintin showcases his dual mastery of the flute and soprano sax on the trippy, synth- textured, mid-tempo funk jam “Attitude Indicator,” which refers to both acockpit measurement instrument that keeps planes straight and level, and the idea that we should all personally do that in our lives. Another earthbound gem and tour stop is “Latin Layover,” an edgy soul ballad with a balmy tropical flow.It’s a beautiful showcase for Quintin’s tenor and the stellar keyboard work of Kamau Kenyatta, who won a Grammy for co-producing Gregory Porter’s Take Me To The Alley.Another emerging talent Quintin puts the spotlight on is Phoenix-based vocalist Heather Jakeman, who brings a soulful, satisfying shimmer to the old school appeal of “Air Beneath Your Wings.”

Beyond the airplane metaphors, two tracks take us especially deep into Quintin’s soul. The haunting sound effects and fiddle laden interlude “I Wished I Could Fly Back Then” finds him using music to help him understand the suffering of his ancestors on slave ships, while the soaring, jazz/gospel driven exultation “He Loves To Play for YAHWEH” reflects the spiritual foundation of Quintin’s life that inspires and governs everything he does.

www.QuintinGerardW.com FROM THE BEGINNING A native of Norco, Louisiana, Quintin Gerard W. attended Destrehan High School, where his formidable musical talent earned him a place in numerous concert and jazz honor bands in Louisiana and the New Orleans area. Awarded a music scholarship to Loyola University of New Orleans, he studied Jazz Music Performance and Education,with the opportunity to study from jazz master Ellis Marsalis. In 2003, Quintin relocated back to his original roots in Louisiana and resumed his undergraduate studies. He later graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration/Management. As a result of his effort and studies at SLU, Quintin was accepted into the Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization, and The National Scholars Honor Society for his outstanding academic and personal achievements. He is also a licensed private pilot currently working on his Instrument Rating (IFR) who enjoys the freedom of flying to remote destinations that are inaccessible by commercial airline travel.

Quintin’s background includes: working on TV commercials for MCI, Levi Strauss, Estee Lauder and Sears Kenmore; recording with The GAP Band, hip-hop artist Flip and the late Rick James; featuring tracks from FnkySax in the film The Golden Empire; and recording the opening theme for B.E.T.’s Comic View. Living back in the New Orleans area since 2003, Quintin currently writes and produces with a variety of musicians, singers, and up and coming Jazz artists. Quintin Gerard W. is also a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

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“It’s the rare contemporary urban jazz album that touches the human spirit as easily as it tickles the ears and makes us groove. Even the best full-length recordings in the genre are generally random gatherings of great tunes featuring soulful rhythms and melodies that stick long enough to merit lots of radio airplay. Quintin Gerard W. has proven in the past that he’s a multi-talented musician (saxes, flute, keys, drums) and producer who has those surefire hooks and magical sonic textures mastered. Now with Cleared for Takeoff, he’s establishing himself as a visionary and a musical poet who combines his great passions for music and flying in a way that helps us imagine him soaring (in the studio and above the clouds), and inspires us to dig deeper into our souls to find out just where our own lives need to take flight. His horn leads and textures are intense and empowering, his sense of sensuality and old school sensibilities is stellar, and his unique choices of tempos, atmospheres and harmony is impeccable. Cleared For Takeoff is that rare genre masterpiece that makes us want to take off for destinations unknown – and hear more often from its creator!” - Jonathan Widran

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