Soundhouse Alumnus Selected for Prestigious Grad Program at USC

Saxophonist and Composer Quinn Dymalski recently accepted an offer to study at the famed University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music pursuing a Masters degree in Jazz Saxophone. After performing with multiple bands over several years at the Soundhouse, he completed his undergraduate work at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he received a bachelor’s degree in Music. In addition to becoming a highly skilled tenor and baritone saxophonist (as well as an adept woodwind doubler), a key element of his musical voice has become arranging and composing.

By the age of 21, Dymalski composed, arranged, and produced an entire concert of big band music for the debut of his ensemble “The Quinny D. Big Band.” Dymalski also recently composed, and arranged an album of small group jazz “Live From the Living Room.” Recorded as a video album and posted to his YouTube channel, this album features his brother, Derrick Dymalski, another Soundhouse alumnus.

Dymalski’s music can be described as modern jazz fusion, holding elements from many different genres and styles, such as metal, funk, blues, rock, bossa nova, and many more. While his compositional harmony is often dense and sophisticated, the melodies and songform are simpler and accessible. Similar to the Soundhouse’s philosophy of combining a wide arrange of modern styles, Dymalski’s compositions are bringing a fresh take on modern jazz fusion by adding elements of pop music, and bringing it to a mainstream audience.

Having studied big band arranging and composition with Steve Wiest and Dave Hanson at Lamont, arranging music for large ensemble has become a significant direction in his career. Through his graduate studies Dymalski hopes to further explore big band arranging (as well as saxophone) by studying with GRAMMY-winning jazz legend, Bob Mintzer!