This is the second edition of the Argiro Quintet; the first having been formed in Santa Barbara, California in 1989. At that time, the emphasis was on replicating the sound of the famous George Shearing Quintet, with new arrangements and some transcriptions from Shearing recordings. On occasion, some of Shearing’s former musicians would substitute when a permanent member was unavailable.
The current quintet’s music and musicians create an interesting mix. With leader Argiro being the eldest, there’s a wide age range represented and the varied creative musical backgrounds of each musician converge to create an eclectic approach to the music that is always innovative and exciting. Please see the personal bios for more information.
Collectively, the extensive list of renowned jazz artists with which members have performed includes: Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Henderson, Joe Wilder, Branford Marsalis, Anthony Braxton, Houston Person, Mel Torme, Marlena Shaw, Ernie Andrews, Lionel Hampton, "Cat" Anderson, Red Rodney, Ernie Watts, Jeff Hamilton, Shelly Manne and Louis Bellson, These collective musical experiences find their expression in the group’s strong identity, where a playful interaction is always present. The Quintet and their original music are also an integral part of, Chasing Rainbows, a new movie starring Swedish actress, Kristi Torhaug, scheduled for release in 2015.