Jazz artist Jason Quick feels a deep connection to Toledo’s musical heritage. “I’m not originally from Toledo. I grew up in Livonia, spent time in Detroit and Bowling Green and have been living in Toledo since about 2004. But I’ve been a musician, and I’ve played with a lot of different people. I’ve played solo and with a number of groups. And it’s all been primarily based in Toledo, with local players.”
“I really believe that what comes out, in creative expression, is part of a larger subconscious thing for the community. I’m trying to express that with the music,” Quick explains. His latest album from his band, the Quick Quartet, is entitled “Low Rent Space.” The music is designed as a love letter to his adopted hometown, and the musical community that spawns from it.
“It’s a musical journey for the listener that gets deep into the psyche of what it means to be a Toledoan. The joys, frustrations, struggles and triumphs that we all go through are wrapped up in this music,” Quick said.
A Bigfoot-print
The third full-length album by a Quick-led group, “Low Rent Space” features eight tracks of deep-cutting jazz. The record has been a long time coming— in fact, it was actually completed more than a year ago.
“We had finished doing all the recording last January (2020), and then this time last year I was working on the mixes. By March, it was mastered and I was planning on putting the record out in June. But then the pandemic hit. I could have put it out, but I didn’t know (if that was the right time).”
The album was recorded at Bigfoot Studios in Waterville. Run by Travis Geiman, Bigfoot has quickly become a popular name among Toledo recording artists. The smooth sounds of “Low Rent Space” demonstrate why. “We worked with Travis, he was the engineer and it’s his studio, and then he also mixed and mastered the whole thing. So he’s a big part of the process. I really feel like this recording has come out very well, and he’s a big part of the reason for that,” Quick said.
New addition
“Low Rent Space” is the first time that the full Quick Quartet has recorded together. Drummer Zac Kreuz and bass player J. Ronquillo have played with Quick for years (as the Quick Trio), while trumpet player Ben Wolkins is a new addition. Toledo native, keyboard player, Ben Maloney, sits in on three of the tracks.
“J. graduated a few years ago from the University of Toledo with his music degree, and has stayed on in town and become the go-to bass player for a lot of people,” Quick said. “He’s been a regular member of the group for the past three, four years. And then the drummer, Zac Kreuz, we have been playing together consistently since 2012. Ben is a very experienced jazz musician who spent time out in New York City, and moved back to the area to raise his family.”
Quick hopes their album captures what’s special about Toledo’s jazz legacy. “This record is important to all of us,” Quick continues, “We’re proud of the way it sounds.”
Order “Low Rent Space” at jasonquickmusicproductions.bandcamp.com. For more information on upcoming gigs, visit jasonquickmusic.com
