Quinsin Nachoff is a composer and saxophonist whose work moves between jazz and contemporary classical traditions, blurring the boundaries between composition and improvisation. Based in Brooklyn and originally from Toronto, he writes for a wide range of ensembles and leads genre-crossing projects in which he often performs. His recent work intertwines music with scientific ideas, film, and visual art in evolving exploration.
Notable highlights include his JUNO-nominated group Flux, featuring alto saxophonist David Binney, pianist Matt Mitchell, and drummers Kenny Wollesen and Nate Wood. Their second release, Path of Totality (Whirlwind Recordings), was praised by DownBeat as “a stunning, deep dive of an album” and earned 4.5 stars in their Year’s Top Rated Albums list. Additional accomplishments include his saxophone concerto Winding Tessellations with Turning Point Ensemble and a 2018 commission for the Molinari String Quartet, showcasing his seamless integration of jazz and classical traditions.
His 2020 release, Pivotal Arc (Whirlwind Recordings), featured a violin concerto for Grammy-winning soloist Nathalie Bonin, a string quartet, and a large ensemble piece. Stars and Constellations (Adhyâropa Records), released in 2023, was described by JazzTrail as “Finding an exceptional connection between improvisation and notated music… Nachoff continues to forge a path of his own, moving in a revelatory line of action that separates him from other creatives.” The album features Nachoff alongside bassist Mark Helias, drummer Dan Weiss, and the Bergamot Quartet and Rhythm Method string quartets.
His multimedia project Patterns From Nature bridges music, physics, and film in collaboration with physicist Dr. Stephen Morris and filmmakers Udo Prinsen, Gita Blak, Lee Hutzulak, and Tina de Groot. Scored for chamber orchestra with featured soloists, it draws on scientific insights to inspire artistic expression. The project premiered in October 2023 at Hunter College (NYC) and in November 2023 at Isabel Bader Theatre (Toronto).
Most recently, Nachoff co-led The Way of Water with pianist Florian Hoefner, which premiered in Montreal in October 2024. The project blends string orchestra, jazz ensemble, winds, and percussion to explore the ecological and societal impacts of water.
Through his work, Nachoff balances tradition and innovation, crafting music that integrates diverse influences and collaborations from orchestral compositions to multimedia projects.