The Acoustic Jazz Quartet's FAQ Page

Acoustic Jazz Quartet
Frequently Asked Questions

• How long have you been playing together?
The AJQ has been actively working together since October of 1996.

• How did you come together?
Jamie and Dean met on several professional gigs in the LA area.While Zac was at USC he met fellow student, Dean, and Jamie whowas on the guitar faculty at the time. In 1996 Jamie and Zacdiscussed putting a working band together. Dean was the topchoice for the drum chair. Zac suggested bringing David Sillsinto the mix having just played a rehearsal session with he andKoba. Rehearsals began in ernest at Zac's house where Dean andDavid were enticed with original music and unusually good homecooked lunches. Thus was born the AJQ.

• How did your name come about?
We tried to create a name that would be immediately descriptiveof the sound we make. The "jazz" and"quartet" parts are obvious and 'acoustic" ispretty straightforward - we all play acoustic instruments - butwe also wanted to make reference to the "AcousticGuitar" world which ties in with the style of Jazz thatJamie plays and writes.

• Where are you all from
David is the only real local, he grew up in Manhattam Beach,about 25 miles from Downtown LA. Jamie Grew up in the Seattlearea and moved to the LA area in his late teens. Dean hails fromHawaii and came to LA via stays in Chicago and Germany. Zac, bornin the US, grew up near London, England, and then lived inEastern Washington until he moved to LA in 1992.