The Canada Council's Specialized Sound Recording program, that has
supported some of my work over the years, was unexpectedly axed this
summer. Having sat on one of these juries I can attest to the high
quality of creative projects that were produced through this program.
Petition in response to axing of the Canada Council's Specialized
Sound recording program:
Sign the petition

"Nachoff's energy and sensitivity to dramatic change shines brightly; his adept work on the clarinet is also exemplary"

See full article here.

Excited to be heading back to Europe for a CD release with:
5 New Dreams (Cristal Records France)
Nachoff-Tocanne - CD Release! + special guest Russ Johnson

For details check out:
www.imuzzic.net/5newdreams.html

A couple of recent reviews:
Montreal Gazette
Quinsin Nachoff, Bruno Tocanne
5 New Dreams
Cristal Records/Abeille Musique
This exciting quintet brings together the creative force of Canadian reedman Quinsin Nachoff and a French group built around the equally creative drummer Bruno Tocanne and three horn players. Listening to these 10 originals, you are reminded that when strongly motivated musicians take jazz to where it meets contemporary music, with the accent on improv, you can get uplift. It surely beats nostalgia. In ballads, up-tempo pieces and tone poems, the tunes are bright and attractive, developed with attention to the overall effect. Kudos to trumpeters Frédéric Roudet and Rémi Gaudillat and reedman Lionel Martin for this terrific outing - perfect for a Canada-France appearance at next summer's jazz festival.

Four and a half out of five stars
Irwin Block

-Jazzman (France) Dec 2008

QUI C’EST CE QUINSIN?
QUINSIN NACHOFF

par THIERRY LEPIN

SAXOPHONISTE ORIGINAIRE DE TORONTO - DÉSORMAIS NEW-YORKAIS - QUINSIN NACHOFF FORME UN QUINTET AVEC LE BATTEUR FRANÇAIS BRUNO TOCANNE, EN TOURNÉE CE MOIS-CI. DÉCOUVERTE.

more...

Hello-

It's been quite some time-
plenty of news.

1) HORIZONS ENSEMBLE featuring John Taylor & Ernst Reijseger
Advance copies of my (newish) CD, HORIZONS ENSEMBLE, with John Taylor, Ernst Reijseger, Nathalie Bonin & Parmela Attariwala are now available exclusively through my website (via Paypal):
www.quinsin.com

2) the MOVE
Am relocating to New York City for the upcoming year.
Wow - nothing in life prepares you for apartment hunting in NYC ;)
But did find a great pad in Brooklyn. I'll be back and forth for the first while, keeping my cel# in Toronto, but drop me a line if you're in NYC!

3) w/ Michael Bates' Outside Sources Upcoming tour with Michael Bates' Outside Sources. Imminent release of the new record, to be released on Dave Douglas' Greenleaf record label.
www.outsidesources.org for tour details and updates on that new record.

4) 5 New Dreams w/ Bruno Tocanne
Wrote four compositions for a really fun project of four horns & drums -
upcoming release with French drummer Bruno Tocanne -
Some sound samples:
www.imuzzic.net/musiquesnachofftocanne.html
Info:
www.imuzzic.net/5newdreams.html

5) Site Updates
Thanks to Joe Lagan for some long overdue enhancements to www.quinsin.com -
A Calendar, easier access to the Store, better streaming and a News section!

See you out there!

Best,
Quinsin

www.downtownmusicgallery.com

"Horizons Ensemble is one of the more serious sounding and successful units to emerge from the underground fully (in)formed."

QUINSIN NACHOFF HORIZONS ENSEMBLE With JOHN TAYLOR/ERNST REIJSEGER et al - Horizons Ensemble (self released; Canada) Featuring Quinsin Nachoff on tenor & soprano saxes, John Taylor on piano, Ernst Reijseger on cello, Nathalie Bonin & Parmela Attariwala on violins.

Formerly Toronto-based saxist, Quinsin Nachoff, now lives here and has just released his second splendid disc as a leader. His first fine disc featured him with Mark Helias, Jim Black and a string quartet and was on Songlines. Quinsin can also be heard on both discs from bassist Michael Bates, another Canadian now living here. For Quinsin's second date he has put together another extraordinary group with British pianist John Taylor, whose career stretches back more than forty years and Dutch cellist, Ernst Reijseger who used to play with the ICP Orchestra, Clusone Trio and now has some half dozen discs on W&W. "Bogardus Place" opens with sublime soprano sax backed by elegant piano and strings. On "Desert Landscape" the strings are rich in sound and evoke a handful of ghost-like images, the piano and soprano are both exquisite, austere and have a lovely auburn hue. I dig the way the strings and sax blend and enhance each other's sound while the piano plays swirling lines around them superbly. Although this is a quintet, their sound is like a well-integrated string quartet as each member is a part of their luscious tapestry. What truly stands out is Quinsin's composing, he has a knack for placing his sax within the fabric of the strings and piano in a way that makes the quintet one whole(some) endeavor. This disc reminds me of some of the better ECM dates I've heard in recent years without the unnecessary fiord-like reverb that is too often over-used. "A River Remembers Rain," sounds like parts of it are played backwards or that sections are fragmented, yet it seems to be connected on a more subliminal level. "Cartoon-Scape" starts with some intense free interplay but soon hits it charted stride with more challenging interplay. I love the way the strings start a line which is soon answered by the piano or sax, the musical/magical idea or flow remains continuous. "Glacial Lake" is an appropriately titled piece which is stark and most haunting. Quinsin's tone on tenor is warm and lush and even touching at times. John Taylor is also most lyrical here, playing so few notes, yet letting each note ring true. The final piece is called "African Skies" and it is a strong final work. Solos by Quinsin on tenor and Ernst on cello are particularly inspired and John Taylor keeps a keeps a stimulating conversation going on throughout on piano. The strings here are woven just right with tenor and piano playing tag and the quintet being balanced perfectly. The Horizons Ensemble is one of the more serious sounding and successful units to emerge from the underground fully (in)formed. - BLG