Julian Argüelles
Biography
Julian Argüelles was born in Birmingham in 1966 and started playing with big bands including the European Community Big Band that toured throughout Europe. In 1984 he moved to London where he gained recognition as a creative and original musician and was immediately in demand. He studied briefly at Trinity College of Music before joining the much acclaimed band Loose Tubes, staying with them for four years and recording two albums.
In 1986 Julian received the prestigious Pat Smythe award for young musicians, he has also been awarded several BBC awards.
Since then he has been working in many projects involving musicians drawn from around the world including Archie Shepp, Dudu Pukwana, Peter Erskine, Dave Holland, Steve Swalow, John Abercrombie, Chris McGregor, Hermeto Pascoal, Arturo Sandoval, Tim Berne, John Scofield and Georgio Gaslini.
Julian works throughout Europe and is currently a member of Django Bates’ Delightful Precipice, The Kenny Wheeler Big Band, The Mike Gibbs Orchestra, The Very Big Carla Bley Band, and bands led by Mario Laginha, Colin Towns and his brother Steve.
Despite being very busy performing he maintains a commitment to teaching and has been invited to teach at various places such as The Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Glamorgan Jazz School, Edinburgh and Manchester summer schools and the Royal Conservatory, Den Haag, the Netherlands. Julian was offered the first position of Jazz Musician in Association at the Royal Northern School of Music.
Julian’s main interest continues to be writing and performing with his own band. In 1990 the Julian Argüelles Quartet , with John Taylor, Mick Hutton and Martin France recorded their first CD "Phaedrus" which was released on the British label Ah-Um.
In October 1995 Julian released his second CD with Mike Walker on guitar, Martin France on drums and Steve Swallow on electric bass, the CD is called "Home Truths" and is on the Babel label. His CD "Scapes", which is mainly a solo project, was released in October 1996.
In July 1995 Julian performed a concerto especially composed for him by Mario Laginha with the Lisbon Symphony Orchestra.
Julian was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 to write 60 minutes of music for a new octet, this was performed and recorded at Bath festival in May 1996. The group toured and recorded and the CD, called "Skull View", was released in 1997 also on Babel.
Julian has recently been commissioned to write for the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, his octet (by Birmingham Jazz), Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the Walsall Youth Jazz Orchestra.
In 1999 Julian was the recipient of the Jazz Composers Alliance Composition Award (which is an American award), his second octet CD "Escapade" was released in the autumn on the Provocateur label.