David Jones
David Jones is one of the most innovative and musical drummers in the world. He has toured nationally and internationally, performing and recording across rock, pop, jazz, classical, ambient, world music, cabaret, theatre, television and improvised works.
He has played with many leading artists and ensembles, among them James Morrison, John Farnham, Stevie Wonder, John Denver, Marcia Hines, Tommy Emmanuel, Don Burrows, Debra Byrne, Rhonda Burchmore, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Larry Adler, Don McLean, the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, The Queensland Orchestra and the West German Radio Big Band in Cologne.
David was Head of the Drum Department at the Sydney Conservatorium from 1985 to 1993. In 2000 he returned to his home town of Melbourne; soon afterwards he joined James Morrison’s sextet and toured extensively with the band for three years, before being awarded a two-year Fellowship through the Australia Council. That fellowship led to the production of the Meditations on Love CD (ABC Classics) and associated concerts. His later ABC Classics release is the solo album Colours of the Drum, a double CD with bonus DVD.
Since 2004 he has worked increasingly with symphony orchestras and in solo concert. In 2006 Tokyo composer Toshi Watanabe wrote a Drumkit Concerto especially for him. Highlights have included a solo set at the 2008 Cape Breton Drum Festival in Canada, sharing the stage with some of the world’s finest drummers. In 2010 he was awarded the Melbourne Prize for Music.
Wherever he travels, audiences respond strongly to his playing, and his reputation continues to grow on the world scene.
Artist's website: www.davidjonesdrums.com.au
Press quotes
…[David’s performance] was nothing less than a spiritual experience…to be truly transported by the power of the drum when it comes from a place of such deep intention as it does with David Jones
David Jones is, in my opinion, one of the greatest, most natural, musicians on the planet. His musicianship is mesmerising and captivating - I’ve always felt he was in a class of his own.
Performing as AtmaSphere
Flying
AtmaSphere is a Sydney jazz band specialising in virtuosic performances of its own works. Some tracks carry a Zen calm; others offer sheer pleasure from more notes per second than seem possible. Guest spots by Don Burrows and Mike Nock heighten the pleasure.
Composer