Born into a musical family, Quinn began his musical journey as a drummer in jazz bands and orchestras. In 1982, he decided to pursue his love for music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Influenced by classmates from around the world, his fondness for world music began to blossom. He began developing a truly unique style of playing while experimenting with jazz, classical and rock around the city. In 1986, he purchased his first drum machine and began to experiment with the world of "sampling" which would soon lead him into alternative styles of composition. Seeking new horizons, Quinn left Boston in 1988 to pursue a career as a studio drummer in Los Angeles, California. He recorded with artists as diverse as Belinda Carlisle, Patti LaBelle, Vesta Williams and Lauren Wood. He was also very involved in TV and Film, deciding to start his own music production company in 1990 called Quinn/Tomasic Productions.
In 1993, while in the studio, Quinn started to experiment with a few song ideas, not realizing that he would be signed to a record deal within a few short months. He recorded two records for Shiro Records, Quinn (1994) and Ecstasy in Avila (1996). He was compared to artists such as Enigma, Peter Gabriel and Loreena McKennet. With success on the radio with the single "Sacred Revelation," he was sought out by the likes of Robbie Robertson and numerous alternative artists. He also began a new music company in 1996 called S/Q that would be even more involved with television as well as sound design for TV stations, UPN, Prosibien and Fox.
In 1997, Quinn became involved in a music production company called Datolite Music Productions. He, along with partner, Lindsay Tomasic, would compose the theme to the Roseanne Show. Quinn also played drums and percussion on the music that played five days a week in over 13 countries worldwide. Quinn recorded an album for Endou Records in 1998 entitled The Solemn Vow, a modern world opera ballet in two acts, combining opera singers with world instrumentation. The album truly became a sound unto itself.
In 1999, Quinn started his own record company, Orison Music which will feature his newest record, Chasing Silence, to be released this year. He also continues to perform with other artists such as Paula Cole, Donna De Lory, and Me'shell Ndegeocello. He is currently working on his new album, touring North America with Donna De Lory and producing and playing on the new release from Lindsay Tomasic, Paradise Road. Plans for a tour of Europe and North America are in the works.