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Led by New York born guitarist Justin Quinn, Bakehouse are distinct, innovative and deep rooted in the contemporary scene. The quintet are full of contradictions: relaxed yet aggressive, abstract yet concise. Their fresh textural narratives explore influences from jazz and rock to 20th century composition, flamenco and bluegrass.
Justin grew up under the influence of both his parents’ past musical encounters: from his mother's work with John McLaughlin, to his father's playing in jazz, commercial, and Indian musical settings. His professional career began in his late teens, sitting in on his father's gigs in New York and he has been establishing an increasing reputation on both sides of the Atlantic ever since working with the likes of Jack Bruce, Kenny Wollesen, Kermit Driscoll, Martin France, Gary Husband, Gerard Presencer, Joe Burgstaller, Hector Martignon, Samuel Torres, Ernesto Simpson, Ludwig Afonso, Jeff Ballard, Curtis Fowlkes, Simon H. Fell, Mark Sanders, Alex Ward, Leafcutter John, The Halle Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and The BBC Bigband.
Bakehouse's debut release, Before I Forget, won the 2005 Mojo Jazz Album of the Year.
"Quinn's playing is enthralling throughout and gives the group's elegantly wrought music much cohesion" Record Collector
"Eloquent original pieces ... A debut of undeniable promise" Echoes
"Another new UK-based band turning heads with its music" Record Collector
"Marvellous compositions [...] Convincingly jagged, serene, tranquil, provocative, reassuring and strangely beautiful all at once [...] Quinn takes the honours; a startlingly fresh and deeply individual talent" Mojo
"An extremely promising debut from someone who, as well as being an accomplished guitarist, knows a thing or two about how to create music that sings, soars and tells stories [...] There's a striking maturity to new London band Bakehouse" Jazzwise
"Bakehouse deserves to find a place on the post-modern jazz lovers' shelves around John Scofield and Bill Frisell [...] Before I forget turns out to be a subtle grower, its insistent harmonies layered on top of repeated phrases, insinuating in the ear. [...] I'm already looking forward to the next Bakehouse CD" Jazz Review
"A lovely rounded voice.....notes fall from the instrument like dripping mercury" Jazz Review
"Before I Forget is an angular, classy piece of work" Guitar and Bass
Justin Quinn is also a winner of the 2004 BBC Jazz Award for Innovation alongside fellow members of the F-ire Collective.