James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word.
Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano.
At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed equally as fast. Just turned 16 James Morrison debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Following this were performances at the big festivals in Europe – including Montreaux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern - playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. There were also gigs in the world’s most famous jazz clubs – the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scott’s in London.
Now 37, James Morrison’s career thus far has been diverse and perhaps not typical of most jazz musicians. He recorded “Jazz Meets the Symphony” with The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. In 1997, James was recognised for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.
Apart from touring the world for most of the year James is also head of Morrison Records, an independent label dedicated to the best of jazz. He also spends much time in education, doing master classes and workshops in many countries and running a jazz scholarship.
An avid user of the latest technologies James is very involved in furthering the presence of jazz and music education on the Internet and also uses computers extensively in his writing, recording and performances.
When not writing film scores, composing or being patron of several youth orchestras, James relaxes in some fairly unconventional ways for a musician - competing in triathlons, abseiling, flying his private plane or driving in a rally championship. His love of cars is well known, as he was host of the national TV program “Behind the Wheel”.
With interests so broad and a career so filled with highlights it seems that he has done just about everything anyone could want – not so. When asked, “What is there left to do?” His reply is typically exciting “This is just the warm up!”
1962
11 November 1962 Born Boorowa, Australia
1979
Joined Don Burrows Band and toured Australia and South East Asia for the next 6 years.
1980
Graduated from NSW Conservatorium of Music - Associate Diploma in Jazz.
1981
Appointed lecturer at the NSW Conservatorium of Music
1983
Formed Big Band with my brother John, filmed TV special for ABC.
1987
First Australian to perform with Dizzy Gillespie - at Montreaux Jazz Festival.
1989
Only Australian in all star Phillip Morris Big Band - World Tour.
1990
World tour with Ray Charles & B.B. King.
1990
Awarded "Australian Performer of the Year" Mo award.
1992
Performed for President Bush at Parliament House Canberra.
1993
Recorded "Jazz Meets the Symphony' with London Philharmonic Orchestra.
1994
Concert at Royal Albert hall, London with London Philharmonic Orchestra.
1995
Concert at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne.
1996
Performed for President Clinton at Parliament House Canberra.
1997
Awarded AM
Other highlights: --
Royal Command performance for HRH Queen Elizabeth II on four occasions in Australia and on two occasions for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
I am also the Patron of six youth Bands throughout Australia and have a yearly scholarship to further the music education of young Australians.
Emma Pask
“The greatest gift to Australian Jazz Vocals in the last decade” is how James Morrison, Australia’s most awarded jazzman, describes Emma Pask.
Her talent was spotted by James Morrison during one of his regular visits to high schools when she was just 16. She first sang with his band that night and has been touring with Morrison around Australia and overseas, ever since.
While Emma’s voice and style are unique, and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts. “My parents brought me up to the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and all the greats, Emma says.”
Emma has been a regular guest on national TV shows like ‘Hey, Hey Its Saturday’, the ‘Midday Show’, ‘Good Morning Australia’, the’ Today show’, and has also sung to VIP audiences including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Prime Minister of Australia.
She has performed to audiences up to 50,000, and sung with Don Burrows, Christine Anu, Iva Davies, Jimmy Barnes, the NZ Philharmonic, Barbara Morrison, the WA Symphony Orchestra, at the Phillips International Jazz Festival, the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, in Cape Town with the Darius Brubeck Trio, and following the enormous success of her first album, has just released her second CD “This Madness Called Love”.
Despite her achievements and the international recognition of her talent, Emma retains her natural, refreshing and unpretentious, girl next door approach to life.
James Morrison says “Whilst it’s fashionable to be a jazz singer these days, she’s the real thing!”
After graduating from High School in 1995, Emma auditioned and was accepted into Nida's ( National institute of Dramatic Art) 'Young actors studio' where for a year she was trained by some of Australia's finest Actors, Directors and film makers .
Since graduating from the program she has continued her studies in acting ( when her singing schedule permits ) with courses at Nida and various other institute's throughout Sydney.
Emma also has a passion for studying and speaking Japanese.
With a keen interest for the country and culture, Emma studied throughout high school for 5 years, and is currently continuing with private lessons.
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