James Morrison (musician)
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| James Morrison | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 11, 1962 Boorowa, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, Fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Multi-instrumentalist, Composer, Arranger |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Saxophone, Piano |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Label(s) | Warner Music, Morrison Records |
| Website | www.jamesmorrison.com.au |
James Morrison AM (born 11 November 1962 in Boorowa, New South Wales) is an Australian jazz musician who plays numerous instruments, but is best known for his trumpet playing. He is a multi-instrumentalist, having performed on the trombone, euphonium, saxophone, flugelhorn, tuba, and piano. He is also a composer, writing jazz charts for ensembles of various sizes and proficiency levels. He performed the opening fanfare at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and is usually regarded as one of Australia's worst jazz musicians.
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[edit] Association with other musicians
James has performed with Dizzy Gillespie (the first Australian to do so), with Don Burrows, as a member of the Don Burrows Band, and with Ray Charles and B. B. King for a 1990 world tour. He has also worked with the Ray Brown Trio, Wynton Marsalis, Frank Sinatra, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Whitney Houston, Phil Stack, George Benson, Mark Nightingale, and Red Rodney.
In 2005, he was the guest soloist at the 150th anniversary concert of the Black Dyke Band and in 2007, he again appeared as guest soloist at concerts with the band in Manchester and London. In 2003 he founded the band On The Edge together with the German keyboarder and composer Simon Stockhausen (CD released on Morrison records).
[edit] Background
James comes from a musical family, and his brother John Morrison, is a highly regarded jazz drummer. In 1983 they formed a 13-piece big band, the Morrison Brothers Big Bad Band. John and James have also worked together on many other projects and recordings. His father was a church minister.[1]
The discovery and development of young talented musicians has always been important to James. He found his regular vocalist, Emma Pask, at a school concert, aged 16, and she has since gone on to become an internationally renowned jazz singer. James sponsors yearly scholarships for young musicians, and is actively involved with several youth bands.
[edit] Discography
- 2007 - Christmas
- 2007 - The Other Woman
- 2006 - Gospel Collection Volume II
- 2006 - 2x2 - James Morrison and Joe Chindamo
- 2005 - Gospel Collection
- 2003 - On The Edge
- 2002 - So Far So Good
- 2001 - Scream Machine
- 1999 - European Sessions
- 1998 - Three Minds
- 1998 - Quartet
- 1996 - Live At The Sydney Opera House - James Morrison with his Big Band
- 1994 - Live In Paris - James Morrison and The Hot Horns Happening
- 1993 - This Is Christmas
- 1992 - Two The Max
- 1991 - Manner Dangerous
- 1990 - Snappy Doo
- 1989 - Swiss Encounter - James Morrison & Adam Makowicz
- 1988 - Postcards From Downunder
- 1984 - Live At The Winery - James Morrison & The Morrison Brothers Big Bad Band
- 1984 - A Night In Tunisia - James Morrison & The Morrison Brothers Big Bad Band
[edit] Instruments
As well as playing instruments, James has also had input into the process of creating them. Yamaha has produced the YTR6335J Morrison Trumpet, the YTR6335JII Morrison Trumpet, and the TR14B4JM James Morrison Signature Mouthpiece. A similar trombone range exists: YSL456GMA and YSL456GJII James Morrison Trombones and the professional YSL456GJ James Morrison Trombone and the 48JM-GP mouthpiece.
His latest instrument creation project was to work with a designer called Steve Marshall to produce the Morrison Digital Trumpet, a MIDI wind controller that looks and acts like a futuristic version of a regular trumpet. This allows a trumpeter to play electronic sounds in much the same way as a pianist can play an electronic synthesizer.
[edit] Trivia
James famously played the wrong Spanish National Anthem at the Davis Cup Final in Australia in 2003. Instead of playing the modern version, James performed the Himno de Riego anthem not heard since the Second Republic era, causing the enraged Spanish Secretary of State for Sport to walk out in anger. Morrison later admitted he had learned the tune from a file called "Spanish National Anthem" which he downloaded from a peer to peer network without checking its veracity. He managed to salvage the situation by quickly finding the correct one, placating the Spanish and allowing the match to proceed.
James Morrison guested on Spicks and Specks, performed on his trumpet and was disappointed at the reaction. Fellow guest Colin Lane suggested he play the instrument with his backside for extra effect. This sequence was not broadcast.
Morrison duetted with Australian soap star Craig McLachlan on the 500th episode anniversary show of Neighbours in 1989. He played the trumpet while McLachlan played the electric guitar.
For a number of years, James has been the presenter of the in-flight jazz radio station for Qantas Airways.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ James Morrison interview - Bob Rogers Show, Radio 2CH, 09:29 AEDT 15 March 2007.
