Musical Drummer - powerful and dynamic

His name is David Jones and he is from Australia…. this cat has chops we all envy, but what sets him apart is how he uses them- Danny Seraphine (original drummer for Chicago)

David is often described both locally and abroad as being one of the most innovative and musical drummers in the world, a true virtuoso musician. His mesmerising drum solos are dramatic, humorous, surprising and powerful.

In the hands (and feet) of David Jones, the drum kit comes alive as a mini-orchestra, vaudeville act, rhythmic explosion and hypnotic trance-inducer, all in one. Using sticks, brushes, mallets, fingers, elbows, violin bow, dish-mops, toys, brooms… and any percussion he can lay his hands on(!), David creates a universe of sounds, textures and rhythms that take you through different cultures, ages, moods and styles.

A true virtuoso musician, David has toured nationally and internationally and has performed and recorded in the genres of rock and pop, jazz, classical, cabaret, theatre, television and improvised works.

He has played with many great artists and bands, such as

James Morrison, John Farnham, Stevie Wonder, John Denver, Marcia Hines, Tommy Emmanuel, Don Burrows, Debra Byrne, Rhonda Birchmore, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Larry Adler, Pyramid, Don McLean, Crossfire, AtmaSphere, MSO, SSO, WDR Big Band (Köln), Wycliffe Gordon, Wayne Bergeron, Chong Lim, David Campbell, David Hobson, Bill Wattros…

He has been an active meditation teacher and student with the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University since 1984, and collaborates with voice artist Carmen Warrington on their gentle Sounds of Peace meditation concerts.

David was head of the jazz drum department at the Sydney Conservatorium for 8 years, and has since released 2 highly acclaimed drum instruction videos. He also regularly conducts drum workshop-concerts worldwide.

David endorses:
DW/PDP Drums
Sabian Cymbals
Evans Heads
DW Pedals and Hardware

Recent Highlights:

• Fine Arts Aria nomination for Best World Music Album in 2008.
• First solo album, Colours of the Drum, released by ABC Classics in early 2008.
• Colours of the Drum concerts featuring two drum kits (one completely disassembled kit in a half moon shape) and singing bowls.
• Meditations on Love concerts, featuring Australia’s top musicians who appear on the same titled album (released by ABC Classics)
• “a vast palette of improvised music that swamps the senses with its inventiveness, unfamiliarity and sheer beauty.” (Herald Sun, 4 June, 2006)
• Solo concert Spirited Percussion, using David’s lifelong collection of drums and exotic percussion to tell the story of “The Cycle of Time” 
• Essay for Drumkit and Small Orchestra, a special drum concerto written exclusively for David by renown Japanese composer Toshi Watanabe. World premier performance in September 2006 in Japan, and October in Melbourne, 2006. Concerto released on CD by Warner Brothers, Japan in 2007.
• Regular invited artist with the Symphony Orchestras of Melbourne (MSO), Sydney (SSO), Adelaide (ASO), Darwin (DSO) and Tasmania (TSO).
• Concerto for Sax and Drumkit by New Zealand composer Psathas in 2006 with the MSO.
• David Jones and Friends concerts, performing original pieces inspired by music from around the world with different artists (including Rick Wakeman in 2006), comprising of mainly live improvisation
• Regular invited artist with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa (OEK) in Japan
• Director/composer for DJ’s Drum!, a 4 piece percussion group that debuted in Japan in 2001
• Member of the original The Quartet led by Dr Tony Gould
• Three years in James Morrison’s Sextet, touring Australia and Asia  
• Awarded a two year Australia Arts Council Fellowship in 2002
• Director/producer of unique meditation and healing music concerts and individual sessions, using Tibetan, Japanese and Crystal bowls.

…[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
Michael Shrieve, original drummer for Santana

You have achieved what I thought was unachievable on the drum kit - very high level of musicality, dense but dynamic phrasing that one does not get tired of, with and seemingly perfect time and the objective clearly on the music, not the ego.
Ed Mann, percussionist on 50 of Frank Zappa’s albums

He is phenomenal, nobody else can do what David does with the drums - it’s amazing.
James Morrison, international artist

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.
Tommy Emmanuel, international artist

Contact:
david@davidjonesdrums.com.au
www.davidjonesdrums.com.au
Mobile +614111 83 230

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