Biography

David has toured the world as a bandleader, performer, arranger and educator. He has many influences including Count Basie, Urbie Green, Conrad Herwig, Robin Eubanks, Carl Fontana, Steve Turre, Mark Nightingale and Dave Panichi. David has received the Australia day Medallion for his work as bandleader of the renowned Royal Australian Air Force Big Band.

Studying Big Band and Jazz at the NSW Conservatorium of Music under the direction of Richard Montz and Paul Macnamara, David has engaged in an exciting music career.

He has performed in the Sydney orchestras for the Disney production ‘;The Lion King´, Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s ‘Cats´, ‘Shout´, ‘Priscilla´, and Cole Porters ‘Anything Goes´.

Recordings include the 2008 album for the Indonesian Pop star Ahmed Dhani, soundtracks for ‘Burn The Floor´, Rocky Horror Show, The Pam Ann Comedy Show and Shout.

Formerly lead Trombone in the Warren Daly Big Band and more recently The Tim Oram Big Band whose gigs feature one of Australia’s greatest vocalists Mr Doug Parkinson. David’s performance roster recently has included gigs with John Morrison’s ‘Swing City´ Big Band, Glenn Shorrock, appearances on Channel 9‘s ‘The Footy Show´ and ‘Mornings with Kerry-Ann´. David has also performed with: Ian Moss-Australin Tour, Jim Pugh, Alan Vizzutti, Kerry Biddell, Marina Prior, James Morrison, Ed Wilson, Paul Griffith’, James Greening, Bob Barnard, Rhonda Burchmore, Tom Burlinson, Frank Bennett, Grace Knight, Tommy Emmanuel, James Blundell, Jeff Duff-Prophets Band, Billy Field, Tim Friedman, Skunkhour and Taxiride.to name just a few.

David is also a writer/arranger who’s work been extensively performed by the RAAF Big Band at Jazz festivals throughout Australia. David has written material for Glenn Shorrock, Doug Parkinson and the Air Force trombone ensemble, including arrangements of timeless standards and jazz staples.

You can hear David’s latest composition "What Are You Gonna Say" played by some of Sydney’s best musicians or go to the ‘listen’ page.

David is committed to music education. His work with young musicians through clinics, lectures, workshops and master classes has brought him to such venues as The Australian Institute of Music, Edith Cowan University, University of Western Sydney, Wollongong University, Southern Cross University and many primary and secondary schools throughout Australia and Asia.

Born November 16, 1960 in Geelong, Victoria, David was first introduced to music by his parents. After spending several years of practice and tutoring David began listening to albums such as Carla Bley, Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea; rather different tastes to fellow students. Unperturbed by this, his playing and musicality has grown since those years with help from many friends along the way.

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