From his beginnings with the legendary Loose Tubes, through his worldwide collaborations, to his searching solo projects, UK composer / saxophonist, bandleader and educator Julian Argüelles has always spoken with a unique voice while influencing an entire generation of European jazz musicians. His music has been described as supremely lyrical with beautiful melodies that are free of any cliches and has been nominated for Best Album in the 2015 Parliamentary Jazz Awards for Circularity (Cam Jazz label) and his quartet composition “Hocus Pocus” was shorlisted for a BASCA in 2014. He continues to be one of the most in demand musicians, composers and educators in Europe and in recent years, internationally.

Born near Birmingham, UK, Julian moved to London at the age of 18 where he immediately gained recognition as a standout creative musician. At 20 he joined the much acclaimed band Loose Tubes. Over the past 30 years, he has toured and recorded throughout the world with leading musicians such as Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Holland, Django Bates, John Scoffield, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell.

His albums have won many awards accolades and have become hugely influential to a new generation of European jazz musicians.
 Julian is the leader of his own groups and has recorded twelve CDs (as a leader) with his 13th release Tetra through Whirlwind Recordings with his critically-acclaimed quartet of the same name. These recordings– and his compositions– have won many prestigious awards: in 2012 he won the Best Instrumentalist at the Scottish Jazz Awards; in 2014 he was nominated for a British Composer Award through BASCA; in early 2015 he was nominated for Best Album at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2015 for Circularity (Cam Jazz).

As a composer Julian has recently been commissioned to write for the HR (Frankfurt Radio Big Band, NDR (North German Radio Big Band), Apollo Saxophone Quartet, with his octet (by Birmingham Jazz and BBC Radio 3), the National, Walsall and Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestras, The Fenland Youth Symphony Orchestra and Royal Academy Of Music. In 1999 Julian was the recipient of the Jazz Composers Alliance Composition Award from the USA and in 2011-12 Julian was composer in Residence at the Luzern Jazz School, Switzerland.

As an educator Julian is respected and in demand. His Octet are currently in residence at the University of York and have been for many years. He is currently a visiting tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and combines masterclasses with performance wherever possible.