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DAVID JONES
DAVID JONES
David is often described both here and abroad as being one of the most innovative and musical drummers in the world. His mesmerising drum solos are dramatic, humorous, surprising and powerful. A true virtuoso musician, David has toured nationally and internationally and has performed and recorded in the genres of rock and pop, jazz, classical, ambient, world music, cabaret, theatre, television and improvised works.
He has played with many great artists & 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, Don Burrows, Crossfire, AtmaSphere, Graeham Goble (Little Riverband), Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, WDR Big Band (Cologne), and many others.
He was Head of the Drum Department at the Sydney Conservatorium for 8 years, from 1985 – 1993, during which David began leading his own projects and bands. In 2000, David returned to his hometown of Melbourne to a phenomenal amount of activity and new projects with leading artists.
Soon after, David joined James Morrison’s sextet and toured extensively with the band over 3 years, before being awarded a two-year Fellowship through the Australian Arts Council. This led to the production of the “Meditations on Love” CD (ABC Classics) and resulting concerts featuring Australia’s most dynamic improvisers.
Since 2004, David Jones has entered the world of symphony orchestras and solo concerts. In 2006, Tokyo composer Toshi Watanbe composed a Drumkit Concerto for Orchestra especially for David, which premiered in Japan and was recorded by Warner Brothers, Japan.
His most recent release through ABC Classics is a series of drum solo pieces: "Colours of the Drum" is a double CD package plus bonus DVD, celebrating, from whisper to roar, the drums in all their acoustic glory, along with African Kalimba, and Tibetan and Japanese singing bowls. His solo concerts include two drum kits, one large kit set at the back and one kit spread in pieces on the floor in a half circle. Each part of the kit is played individually and assembled in front of the audience.
David has just returned from a momentous performance at Cape Breton Drum Festival in Canada, where he shared the stage with some of the greatest drummers of the 20th century, and is currently preparing a national tour to promote ‘Colours of the Drum’.
“…regarding a wonderful discovery at the Cape Breton Festival this year. (You probably know of him already). 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. His performance at festival left all of us: Carmine, Liberty, Dom and myself mesmerized…
David’s playing is a sight to behold…..he has incredible facility and what is even more amazing is the unique way of interpreting classic drum licks from the great masters to make them his own. If you have a chance to see him perform or buy his DVD, do it. You won’t regret it.”
Danny Seraphine, drummer for Chicago
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
“David, it was a pleasure to meet you and to listen to you play… you have taken the drumset to a new level, physically and spiritually. Thank you… my new favourite drummer”
Liberty DeVitto, drummer for Billy Joel
“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. I am blown away.
Ed Mann, percussionist on 50 of Frank Zappa’s albums
www.davidjonesdrums.com.au
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