- James Morrison (musician)
Infobox Musical artist
Name = James Morrison
Img_capt =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Born = birth date and age|1962|11|11Boorowa, New South Wales ,Australia
Instrument =Trumpet ,Flugelhorn ,Trombone ,Euphonium ,Tuba ,Saxophone ,Piano
Genre =Jazz , Fusion
Occupation =Multi-instrumentalist ,Composer ,Arranger
Years_active = 1979–present
Label =Warner Music ,Morrison Records
URL = [http://www.jamesmorrison.com.au/ www.jamesmorrison.com.au]James Morrison AM (born
11 November 1962 inBoorowa, New South Wales ) is anAustralia njazz musician who plays numerous instruments, but is best known for histrumpet playing. He is a multi-instrumentalist, having performed on thetrombone ,euphonium ,saxophone ,flugelhorn ,tuba , andpiano . 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 finest jazz musicians.Association with other musicians
James has performed with
Dizzy Gillespie (the first Australian to do so), withDon Burrows , as a member of the Don Burrows Band, and withRay Charles andB. 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 , andRed 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 composerSimon Stockhausen (CD released on Morrison records).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. [James Morrison interview - Bob Rogers Show, Radio
2CH , 09:29AEDT 15 March 2007.]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.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 BandInstruments
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" and "YSL456GJ James Morrison Trombones" 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 electronicsynthesizer .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 starCraig McLachlan on the 500th episode anniversary show ofNeighbours in 1989. He played thetrumpet while McLachlan played theelectric guitar .For a number of years, James has been the presenter of the in-flight jazz radio station for Qantas Airways.
See also
*
20th century brass instrumentalists
*List of trumpeters
*List of jazz trumpeters References
External links
* [http://www.jamesmorrison.com.au Official Website]
* [http://www.morrisondigitaltrumpet.com/ Morrison Digital Trumpet Official Website]
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