John Morrison

The Boss

John Morrison has delighted audiences for more than 25 years with his humor and dedication to sounds that swing. Equally at home in a small group or big band setting, his musical facility runs the entire spectrum from traditional jazz, swing, Bebop, R&B, Soul and commercial jazz rock.

The eldest of the Morrison family, John has spent much of his musical life playing and recording with his younger brother James Morrison. At age 8, John began playing cornet in the school brass band and by the age of 10 had built his first drum set from pots and pans. In these early few years he played many different instruments and styles but jazz drumming was to be his calling.

After living in New York for over 12 months in the late eighties, John and James returned home to form Australia's premier jazz big band "The Morrison Bros Big Bad Band". John widened his exposure and experience also playing with a variety of other well-known artists including James Moody, Scott Hamilton, Richie Cole, John and Jeff Clayton, Garry Dial, Jimmy Whitherspoon, Eartha Kitt, Don Burrows, George Golla, and Bob Barnard."

As the driving force behind Swing City, John, who was voted Australia's best big band drummer, looks forward to a big future for his most exciting project to date - Swing City.

John is the band leader and drummer for Swing City. Swing City is a big band made up of Australia's finest young jazz musicians who all share a love of music that swings. Many of them are band leaders in their own right and take time from their own groups to enjoy performing with SC.

Swing City Photos

Further to his playing schedule, John is a musical director for Pan Pacific and heads highly successful high school jazz music camps.  He is also known for his work in the recording studio both as player and producer and hosts his own "Jazz at Five" radio show on Sydney radio station FM 99.3

Appointments

Musical Director - National Stage Band Awards
Board member - Comtempoary Music Touring Program (DCITA)
Musical Director - Pan Pacific Australia
Director - Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Fanfare
Director SCECGS Redlands High School Big Band
Adjudicator for City of Sydney Cultural Council Eisteddfod
Adjudicator for YAMAHA State Band Championships
Guest conductor for Chinese Swing Orchestra - Beijing
Conductor for Australian Pan Pacific Band - Hong Kong - April 2002
Patron for Australian Youth Band - Melbourne.
Patron for ZOO Youth Band - Europe 2002
Conductor / Director - Swing City
Director / Producer - Morrison Records Australia

 

To purchase this CD or for more info about John Morrison visit:

www.swingcity.com.au

 

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