Read 2021 #PeopleofWilmDE article on E. Shawn Qaissaunee
Bio/Resume:
Jazz Musician, Recording Artist and Music Educator
guitar | bass | piano | percussion | rubab (roo-bob) | dutar (doo-tar)
Berklee College of Music Alumnus (Jazz Composition/Music Education) E. Shawn Qaissaunee has been in demand as a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger and music instructor for over thirty years. Sought out for his talents on guitar, bass, piano, percussion and the rubab and dutar, two instruments from his native Afghanistan, Shawn is known for his musical virtuosity, sensitivity, lyricism and spirited creative energy in the jazz tradition. His constant devotion to musical traditions, while at the same time striving to bring new energy and relevance to his live performances has made him a beloved and admired artist in the greater community and beyond.
Recent performances:
Opened for legendary jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan at Arden Gild Hall (Wilmington, DE - February 2024)
Dew Point “Jazz in the Valley” Festival (Yorklyn, DE) June 2021 with The Q Factor
Clifford Brown “Year Round” (Wilmington, DE) February 2021 with Sharon Sable
True Blue Jazz Festival (Rehoboth, DE) October 2020 with Sharon Sable Trio
Morning Dew Festival (Yorklyn, DE) October 2020 with The Q Factor
Wilmington’s “Music in the Parks” Series (Wilmington, DE) June 2020 with Jea Street
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (Wilmington, DE) June 2020 with Sharon Sable Quintet
Yuletide Jazz Series (Winterthur Museum and Gardens) December 2019
Center City Jazz Festival (Philadelphia, PA) April 2019 with The Q Factor
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (Wilmington, DE) June 2018 with saxophonist Ernie Watts
University of Delaware (Newark, DE) with Xiang Gao (virtuoso violinist)
Recent discography:
2021 - HARD WINTER
with Sarah Phelan, Aaron Graves, Matt Parrish, Butch Reed and Zach Brock
2020 - THE SPECTRUM OF LOVE with Matt Scarano
WICHITA LINEMAN and SHENANDOAH with Nick Bucci, Chico Huff and Erik Johnson
2019 - LOVE EVERMORE with Sharon Sable, Tim Brey, Andy Lalasis and Larry Marshall
MORE THAN HAPPY with Jason Fraticelli, Matt Scarano, John Swana and Greg Riley
MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES with Dan Hanrahan
Recent awards:
Best Guitarist - Homey Awards 2019-2020 | Hometown Heroes
Artist in Residence/Creative Fellow, VCCA Moulin a Nef (France) – 2018/2019
Artist in Residence/Creative Fellow, VCCA (Amherst, VA) – 2016/2019
E. Shawn Qaissaunee has performed and/or recorded with:
Stevie Wonder
Zach Brock (Grammy Award winner | Snarky Puppy)
Benny Golson (legendary jazz saxophonist and composer)
Greg Riley (saxophone, flute, clarinet | Philly Pops | “Frozen” on Broadway)
Ernie Watts (legendary jazz saxophonist)
David Bromberg (world-renowned musician)
Xiang Gao (virtuoso classical violinist)
Gary Grainger (John Scofield)
Sean Rickman (Steve Coleman/Joe Zawinul)
Ron Holloway (Allman Brothers/Government Mule/Derek Trucks)
Teaching Experience:
Private Instructor 1993 - present
Guitar, Bass and Piano | Jazz, Blues, World and Pop | Composition, Improvisation, Musicality and Music Business/Practical Musical Career Guidance
Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residency (Wilmington, DE) 2017 - present
Residency Faculty, Private Lesson Instructor and Ensemble Leader
Smyrna High School (Smyrna, DE) 1994 - 1995
Assistant Concert Band Director and Jazz Band Director
James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (Smyrna, DE). 1994 - 1996
Group Guitar Instructor
Education:
Private Studies: 1992 - 1998
with Austrian Virtuoso Guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel in NYC
with Iconic Jazz Guitarist Pat Martino in Philadelphia, PA
College: 1989 - 1993
Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) - Jazz Composition/Music Education