E. Shawn Qaissaunee (kay-saw’-nee)  | (Wilmington, DE)

Jazz Musician, Composer, Recording Artist and Music Educator 

guitar | bass | piano | percussion | rubab (roo-bob) | dutar (doo-tar)

Website: www.esqmusic.com 

FB: www.facebook.com/esqmusic

Instagram: www.instagram.com/eshawnqaissaunee 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/esqmusic 

Berklee College of Music Alumnus (Jazz Composition/Music Education) E. Shawn Qaissaunee has been in demand as a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger and music instructor for over thirty years. Sought out for his talents on guitar, bass, piano, percussion and the rubab and dutar, two instruments from his native Afghanistan, Shawn is known for his musical virtuosity, sensitivity, lyricism and spirited creative energy in the jazz tradition. His constant devotion to musical traditions, while at the same time striving to bring new energy and relevance to his live performances has made him a beloved and admired artist in the greater community and beyond. 

Recent and upcoming performances:

Kennett Jazz Festival (April 2024)

Arden Gild Hall (opening for legendary jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan - Feb 2024)

Yuletide Jazz Series (Winterthur Museum and Gardens) December 2023

Kennett Jazz Festival (Kennett Square, DE) April 2023 with The Q Factor

Recent discography:

2024 - Boardwalk Waltz with Jim Ridl (piano)

2024 - By the Time I Get to Phoenix (with Matt Scarano and Jason Fraticelli)

2023 - Skyler Cumbia: Firefly Away

Sara Michaels: Chapter One: Full Circle

with Sarah Michaels, Aaron Graves, Matt Parrish, Jason Fraticelli, Diane Monroe, Matt Scarano, Butch Reed and Zach Brock

2020 - THE SPECTRUM OF LOVE with Matt Scarano

WICHITA LINEMAN and SHENANDOAH with Nick Bucci, Chico Huff and Erik Johnson

2019 - LOVE EVERMORE with Sharon Sable, Tim Brey, Andy Lalasis and Larry Marshall

MORE THAN HAPPY with Jason Fraticelli, Matt Scarano, John Swana and Greg Riley

MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES with Dan Hanrahan

Recent awards:

Artist in Residence/Creative Fellow, VCCA (Amherst, VA) – 2023

Artist in Residence/Creative Fellow, VCCA Moulin à Nef (France) – 2018/2019

E. Shawn Qaissaunee has performed and/or recorded with:

Stevie Wonder 

Zach Brock (Grammy Award winner | Snarky Puppy)

Benny Golson (legendary jazz saxophonist and composer)

Ernie Watts (legendary jazz saxophonist)

David Bromberg (world-renowned musician)

Xiang Gao (virtuoso classical violinist) 

Ron Holloway (Allman Brothers/Government Mule/Derek Trucks)