Flutist Bryan Quinn recently performed at the Sweet Music Studio Café in Citrus Heights. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The intimate sound of the flute, played with emotion and sensitive phrasing, can take the heart and soul on a contemplative journey anywhere through time.

Flutist Bryan Quinn recently returned to the Sweet Music Studio Café in Citrus Heights which he describes as his favorite local place to play, where he shared with an appreciative audience a diverse set of his own instrumental compositions, each evoking senses of loss, healing and hope, all voiced through the distinctive tone and key his diverse collection of 19 flutes which he’s gathered from around the world.

With only a melody gently guiding the way, Quinn’s skillful subtle phrasing and quiet spacing provided appropriate tonal space for each listener’s personal interpretation and self-discovery along the way.

Quinn was born in Madrid, Spain, but grew up in Citrus Heights. He began his musical pathway at nearby Kingswood K-8 school and attended San Juan High School for a time before transferring to Rio Americano High School in the San Juan Unified School District to enroll in its well-regarded music program.

He recalled being surrounded by exotic sounds in his life from the beginning, picking up the trumpet at age nine. Quinn played trumpet all the way through college as a member of award-winning jazz ensembles, concert and marching bands and added jazz and rock guitar to his professional skill set.

In his recent set at the Sweet Music Studio Café, Quinn shared selections from his recent self-produced albums, “Rejuvenescence,” “Introspection” and “Solitude” on which he performs all the backing instrumentation by himself.

The impressive body of work was born just two years ago out of a period of great personal challenges and emotional struggles, he said. The musician is now fired by creative passion which has brought him back with new inspiration and purpose.

Quinn was first introduced to the native flute in 2017 through his then 12-year-old son, who purchased one near the Grand Canyon. His own flute came soon after, as the two started learning to play flute together. His son quickly lost interest, so Bryan put his flute away as well.

A few years later his flute called back to him from the drawer where it had been hiding and soon an obsession was born.

In his recent set at the Sweet Music Studio Café, Quinn shared selections from his most recent self-produced album, “Rejuvenescence” on which he performs all the backing instrumentation by himself. Photo courtesy of Bryan Quinn

Two years ago, devastated by several emotionally challenging situations, Quinn looked inward and found unexpected motivation and inspiration. The happy outcome, encouraged by a supporting network of good friends and therapy, was a reconnection with music where he found his own voice.

Quinn described immersing himself not only in songwriting, but in learning everything he possibly could about the recording and production process, to create and mold every sound heard on his recent recordings.

In his creative work, Quinn creates a unique space where stories aren’t just told, they’re truly felt.

In 2024, Quinn released his acclaimed debut album, “Rejuvenescence” praised as an inspiring and healing musical expedition. His debut single “Solitude” peaked at No. 13 on the One World Music Radio Top 100 Singles Chart, and his follow-up, “Introspection,” peaked at No. 5.

Quinn moved easily from between meditative and upbeat compositions, pop rock and country in his Sweet Music Studio set. Before starting each composition, there was also a rich story to tell, and an introduction to the history of each flute he was about to play.

“The majority of my flutes are six-holed Native American flutes, each tuned to a specific key,” he said. “Each wood type flute provides unique tones and character, completely different from the others.”

Quinn plays multiple types of world flutes, including the Bansuri from India and the Suling from Indonesia. He took time to look through a rack of some of the different flutes he brought with him for his Sweet Music Studio Café performance to choose just the right one necessary to transform a quiet space into what would soon become a sonic tapestry.

“I’m excited about the new music I’m now creating,” he said. He kids himself that he’s a budding country/flute artist, writing contemporary American country music in his own distinct style.

Each of Quinn’s three recordings are available as a physical CD or as a digital album and can be purchased directly from his website, bryanquinn.com, and are also available on iTunes and Spotify.

Quinn said he plans a return performance, schedule permitting, at the Sweet Music Studio Café in the fall.

The Sweet Music Studio Café is located at 8040 Greenback Lane, Suite G in Citrus Heights. For a schedule of upcoming performances, visit www.sweetmusicstudiocafe.com.