Renowned Guitarist/Music Executive Juan Carlos Quintero Joins UT College of Music

Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero, an esteemed Latin jazz guitarist and music executive, is set to join the University of Tennessee College of Music as a professor of practice and Director of Music Communications and Business for fall 2024. Known for his adeptness in blending a career path as a recording artist, music producer and music executive, Quintero brings a unique perspective to the academic realm. His journey from student to accomplished musician and businessperson reflects a deep commitment to artistry and the practicalities of the music industry.
Quintero’s academic journey began in Boston at the Berklee College of Music (BM Composition/Arranging ‘84). Reflecting on his time there, Quintero said, “The teaching emphasized real-world applications prepping you to be able to function as a working musician. Additionally, playing with accomplished students from all over the world while studying with esteemed faculty (Gary Burton, Michael Gibbs, Willian Leavitt, George Garzone, etc.) created a unique environment to grow musically.”
Following his time at Berklee, Quintero further honed his composition skills at the New England Conservatory under the tutelage of George Russell, professor of jazz theoretician and publisher of “The Lydian Chromatic Concept.” However, Quintero’s path took an unexpected turn when he felt the irresistible call to pursue a record deal in Los Angeles. Interrupting his studies, and encouraged by Russell, he ventured to LA, where he quickly found success, getting signed within a year.
“A lot of people thought I was a bit crazy leaving my graduate studies after a year, but the call to go to LA and pursue a record deal was something I couldn’t ignore,” Quintero said. His mentor, the legendary session guitarist Tommy Tedesco of The Wrecking Crew, played a crucial role in this decision. “Tommy took me under his wing and helped me get started as a journeyman guitar player for sessions and touring work. He was truly generous and was a mentor for me along with an impressive list of guitarists in the LA studio scene. His main advice was to focus on writing and pursue a career as a recording artist-A central moment was when he appeared as a featured guest on my first album,” Quintero said.
Quintero’s transition to LA was marked by relentless pursuit. He recounted his method of obtaining contact information for labels and publishers. “I would get the phone numbers to these labels by going to the local library and reading from industry source books that were released semi-annually,” Quintero said. Quintero’s relentless pursuit of opportunities included cold calling and sending demo tapes to various labels, a practice he described as capitalizing on a “brief little window” of naivety. Despite facing multiple rejections, Quintero’s charm and persistence paid off, with some industry insiders recognizing his potential and offering him a chance.
With a record deal secured, Quintero’s career flourished, leading him to consistently chart on the Jazz Top 10 with a steady stream of album releases. As a Latin Jazz artist, Quintero discovered the benefits of managing his career by owning master and publishing rights and launching his own label (Moondo Music LLC) while assigning distribution rights internationally.
Along the way, opportunities to consult and manage music rights for TV production music companies bloomed as IP rights holders navigated new business models built on evolving streaming platforms. Integral roles as a creative music producer/executive followed allowing JC to merge creative producing skills alongside business knowledge.
Now, as Quintero transitions to academia, he aims to enrich the UT College of Music with his unique music skills and business experience by leading the new music business, music advertising and public relations, and music journalism and media degrees. He sees an opportunity to bridge the gap between music and other disciplines, envisioning a program that attracts not just musicians but also future lawyers, publicists, and marketers.
Quintero’s vision for the College of Music extends beyond traditional boundaries, emphasizing collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. “How great is it that music students will be in class, sitting next to the future lawyer, sitting next to the future publicist, or sitting next to someone they didn’t think they would interact with,” Quintero said. “The classes themselves are poised to become sort of like mini conventions where networking is essential as the scope of knowledge and experience remains boundless.”