Virtuoso jazz musician, James Morrison, is a multi-instrumentalist who is highly regarded in the international music world. Mostly known as a trumpet player, he is also a brilliant technician on trombone, euphonium, flugelhorn, tuba, saxophones and piano. A musician of startling originality, James was first noticed overseas as a precocious teenager, when he represented Australia at Jazz Festivals in Monterey and Los Angeles.
James is head of Morrison Records an independent label dedicated to the best of jazz. He also spends time in education, master classes and workshops in many countries. He is patron of six youth bands and awards a yearly scholarship to further the music education of young Australians.
As well as winning the MO Award as Australian Performer of the Year (1990) and the Ricky May Performer of the Year award, James has had an impact on the international stage. From 1992 to 1994, he headlined a critically acclaimed world tour with The Ray Brown Trio, playing in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, France, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Finland and Germany. He has appeared internationally with his own group and as soloist alongside Wynton Marsalis, Frank Sinatra, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Whitney Houston, Dizzy Gillespie and the Philip Morris Superb.
In 1997, James was awarded the Order of Australia and in 2000, he appeared at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
