e. shawn qaissaunee: press

From the very first moment that I listened to a CD entitled Passing Through, I knew that jazz is one of America's greatest exports and is just as universal. Listening to guitarist E. Shawn Qaissaunee (kay-saw'-nee) a native of Kabul, Afghanistan, I was immediately struck by the crisp fresh sound that reverberated from his music. This being is third release, he is obviously a seasoned veteran when it comes to the idea of lyrically displaying a sound that is uniquely qualified to be different. With an approach that is etched in the annals of jazz/funk, Passing Through goes beyond the confines of a single style; in fact, Shawn touches upon a variety of influences, including contemporary jazz. With that being said, one is immediately struck by the versatility and breadth of talent Qaissaunee possesses.

As a composer, E. Shawn Qaissaunee is very creative in approach. Although his self-described creative juices are seemingly on the cutting edge of funk, Passing Through is an improvisational conduit for something better. With a quartet that is just as eclectic as his sound, Shawn's sophisticated writing is melodic and dynamic. The CD is full of upbeat rhythms and simple grooves, as it projects a flavor that is energetic and fluid. Overall, E. Shawn Qaissaunee's ability to transcend the confines of a single style of music speaks volumes of his skills as an artist. Passing Through is just another indication of things to come from this artist. This is a voice that we can expect to hear more of in the days ahead.

Recruiting a high caliber group of musicians to back him on his CD Tell A Story, guitarist E. Shawn Qaissaunee's original compositions emphasize songwriting and musical interaction within the group. With Chico Huff on bass, and Tom Palmer on drums, the second half of the CD is recorded in a trio format, and as such features a number of excellent bass and guitar solo passages (listen to the harmonic explorations in "Top View" for evidence). Qaissaunee invites guests such as keyboard whiz Jeff Knoettner and saxophonist Eric Powell to join him on the first half of the CD, reducing the six-string appeal somewhat, but creating a broader sonic palette for the music. All in all, a well-crafted jazz outing top to bottom, with Qaissaunee's warm, emotional guitar tone serving as the glue that binds the collection together. (more at guitar9 website)

The unfortunate thing is that many recordings, especially guitar-based ones, have not broken new ground in recent years. While we can often count on the masters (old and new) to satisfy our cravings for a solid guitar-led recording, the diminishing number of newcomers to try and break out and make a statement with original compositions has been fewer than desired. Enter E. Shawn Qaissaunee. The thirty-something Delaware based guitarist has proven that the light of progress still exists, and that paying homage to our biggest influences doesn't necessarily mean imitating them. With strong undertones of Metheny, Martino, Jim Hall and a touch of Benson, Shawn Q's "Painting Pictures" is an incredibly solid record of originals, led by Shawn Q and featuring an ensemble of exceptionally talented players behind him. (more at jazzreview.com website)