Julian Argüelles

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Julian Argüelles plays a unique mix of exciting British contemporary jazz infused with Spanish rhythms, South African grooves, brass band and classical influences. An exceptionally gifted musician, he has been compared to sax legends Wayne Shorter and Charles Lloyd (Jazzwise), while his on-stage chemistry with the Julian Argüelles Quartet has been likened to Keith Jarett’s renowned 1970s line-up (UK Vibe).

Argüelles’ rapidly growing audience, built over the past 30 years, has an extraordinary reach for a jazz artist. His concerts attract a wide ranging age from early 20s upwards. Always keen to diversify, Argüelles has begun to reach out to jazz and classical music fans across Europe through his work with L.A.N Trio, with superstar Portuguese pianist Mário Laginha and the phenomenal Norwegian percussionist, Helge Andreas Norbakken and recent publication of new compositions “12 Etudes for the Modern Saxophonist”.

“Whatever the format, Arguelle’s music imbues depth, complexity, sonority and above all, a musical generosity of spirit which simply electrifies the bandstand.” Kenneth Killeen, Improvised Music Company Ireland, 2019

Argüelles’ management is pro-active in the promotion of concerts, developing innovative press strategies, building lasting relationships with journalists, and continuous engagement with fans. Social media plays a large part of any campaign, raising awareness, growing our base, and increasing ticket sales through inventive ‘RT-to-win’ merch giveaways, artist interaction competitions and exclusive releases.

Julian is currently professor of jazz saxophone at the Institute of Jazz, Graz, Austria. He was awarded an honorary Fellowship from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for his services to jazz in 2017 and is a recipient of a Parliamentary Jazz Award (2016) for his CD “Let it be Told”.

ABOUT ‘TONADAS’//

Julian Argüelles saxophones
Ivo Neame piano
Sam Lasserson double bass
James Maddren drums

Tonadas (simply meaning Tunes) is the lyrical and vibrant new quartet album from saxophonist Julian Argüelles. Drawing on his Spanish roots Argüelles has produced a gem – a beautifully warm, harmonically rich and melodic album, abundant with an elegant tone and absorbing colour. Tonadas has everything you’d want and expect from a contemporary Jazz album, yet it surprises on another level. With shifting turns of phrase and effortlessly flowing band interplay, Argüelles’ growing status as a master composer, bandleader and creator are clear. This music is profoundly joyful and masterfully produced.

With some of the UK’s most dependable, experienced and exciting musicians pianist, Ivo Neame, bassist Sam Lasserson and drummer James Maddren, the rhythm section are flexible and intelligent enough to deliver the promise in Julian Argüelles’ writing and arrangements. Exploratory in feel yet integrated in one strong and committed sound, the album is elegantly poised as possibly one of the great European contemporary Jazz albums of this year.

For over three decades Julian Argüelles has been at the forefront of European Jazz, working with some of its finest practitioners including musicians of the calibre of Dave Holland, John Taylor, Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Phronesis, Mike Gibbs and Carla Bley to name some. With Tonadas, Argüelles has mindfully and boldly crafted a band and composed music that further defines him as a composer and musician for the future and promises to command the attention of fans and critics alike.

REVIEWS FOR TONADAS//

“Argüelles is a gifted artist currently in his sophisticated prime” The Guardian

“[Julian Argüelles quartet] possess immense spontaneous fluency, but Argüelles’s atmospheric compositions complete their rich mix of improv and forethought.” **** The Guardian, John Fordham (UK)

“…the tracks, all originals, mirror the composer’s eclectic proclivities. More importantly, the album engages the listener at every level.” **** 1/2 All About Jazz (UK)

“What a mature, compact master in jazz from England and Europe!” NDR (DE)

“In short, a solid and lively album that reveals both the compositional skills, never predictable, of Argüelles… and the perfect integration with young and excellent musicians who contribute to give the project an unusual melodic freshness.” Jazz Convention (IT)

“The delicious opening notes…tell you something good is going to happen…one of Europe’s finest, most in demand, jazz men…this programme of sparkling, original tunes explores that Latin heritage” ***** BBC Music Magazine (UK)

“This is one tight band!” BBC Radio 3, J to Z (UK)

“The beautiful, gorgeous, haunting sound of Julian Arguelles…” BBC Radio Scotland (UK)

“On his new album the 52-year-old plays and composers in vivacious melodic mode, and above all as an elegiac poet…His pieces are harmonious and rhythmically highly complex constructs. All eight “tonadas” (songs) are wonderful to listen to and create a harmonious Euro-Jazz album.” Kulturtipp (CH)

“Tonadas translates simply as tunes…borne out by the sheer joy of melody making in Arguelles’s writing and by the way all four musicians make the music sing tunefully while exercising their collective creative muscle.” The Sunday Herald (SCOTLAND)

“a lyrical tenor and soprano saxophone excursion into his Spanish lineage” The Scotsman (SCOTLAND)

“The balance of emotion and form is just right, as it is on the album throughout.” **** Financial Times (UK)

“There’s an ECM-like sense of space here, too, and touches of the blues. But it’s the melodies, elegant and joyful, that linger. Superb.” **** London Evening Standard (UK)

“…a beautiful collection of lively chamber songs….This album’s music is elegant and warm.” Jazz Music Archives (ONLINE)

“With all the variety in the songs, ‘Tonadas’ exudes a Mediterranean atmosphere from start to finish…An album to enjoy in many ways.” Jazzenzo (NL)

“Tonadas is again a clear proof of the great class of Argüelles”. Written In Music (NL)

See more about Julian on his website at www.julianarguelles.com