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Jonathan Dimond

About Me

EDUCATION

Jonathan has been University-educated in the fields of Classical music and Jazz/improvisation, with Bachelor and Graduate degrees from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Brisbane, Australia) and New England Conservatory (Boston, USA), in 1992 and 1995 respectively. Jonathan has also undergone vigorous training in North Indian classical music in India.

Jonathan Dimond's teachers have included: Arthur Middleton, Phil Davis (trombone); Jerry Leake, Warren Senders, Shri Bharat Jangam (tabla); Bob Moses, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood (bass); Ran Blake, Scott Sandvik, Dominique Eade (improvisation and Third Stream methodology); Abby Rabinovitz, Harriotte Hurie (Indian modal improvisation); Joe Maneri (microtones); Mary Mageau, Gerhard Brophy, Stephen Cronin, Dominique Eade and Pozzi Escot (composition).

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Since 1989 Jonathan Dimond has been active as a private teacher, passing on his experience and skills in a wholistic and dedicated manner. In 1994 Mr Dimond was the Teacher?s Aid for a class in North Indian music, employed through the Third Stream Department of New England Conservatory. In 1996 he commenced part-time Tertiary lecturing at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, teaching a self-designed ear training course and electric bass. In the same year he also took on regular employment in St.Josephs High School's music department. In 1997 Mr. Dimond commenced five years full-time employment as Jazz Department Coordinator at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, teaching ear training, theory, bass, trombone, Indian music, songwriting/arranging, concert practice, and assuming administrative responsibilities. In 2000 he was tenured into this position. In 2002 he resigned from the full-time position in order to pursue a diverse range of performing and teaching experiences across Australia and overseas.

RECORDINGS Commercially-released recordings which feature Mr. Dimond as a composer, arranger, trombonist, bassist, and/or tabla player include: Artisans Workshop: “Artisans Workshop” (1993, Tall Poppies) ”Youth and exceptional ability virtually guarantee that their music will offer listening experiences akin to the gravity-defying configurations of skaters on a tall ramp...” Sydney Morning Herald Loops: “Recursion” (1999, JD Records) ”The European classical tradition is at least as influential here as jazz. But then avant- garde sound sculpture, progressive rock and Indian classical music are also salient ingredients in this fascinating recipe.” Sydney Morning Herald Loops: “Ek” (2001, JD Records) ”All of this music is lyrical in a fresh and unsentimental way.” Sydney Morning Herald JuJu: “Jeff Usher?s Jazz Unit Vol.I” (1991) and the double CD “Jeff Usher's Jazz Unit Vol.II” (1993) New England Conservatory Jazz Bigband: “Events Dancing” (Music & Arts, 1995) Jonathan Dimond has also played in commercial studio projects for T.V. and radio.

PERFORMANCES

Jonathan Dimond has featured on-stage with such diverse and renowned artists as John Denver, Paul Grabowsky, George Russell, Mike Nock, Roger Dean, Lou Rawls, Bob Moses, Ronnie Corbett, Gulfam Sabri, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Arther Lipner, Darryl Pratt, Roger Frampton and Urbie Green. He has participated in masterclasses with the likes of Cecil Taylor and Trilok Gurtu. Jonathan's talent was spotted early, as published in a review of a concert he participated in during a tour to Sydney: “at age 14 (Jonathan) sounds like Bill Harris did all those years ago”. (Kevin Casey, 8/4/86). Since 1995 his chief creative performance outlet has been his band “Loops”, an eclectic ensemble which performs original compositions fusing jazz, classical and world musics. Loops have performed in festivals, concerts, clubs, and theatres around Australia.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Numerous awards and scholarships have facilitated his study and performances in India, Japan, U.S.A. and across Australia. These include: oAsialink Performing Arts Residency in Japan, 2002 oPlaying Australia grant to tour interstate, 2000 oQueens Trust scholarship to travel to India, 1998-9 oAustralia Council for the Arts: Individual Development Grant, to study North Indian music, contemporary composition, improvisation & ear-training in Boston, 1994-95 o Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor?s Performing Arts Fellowship to travel to India, 1995- 6 oArts Queensland: Professional Development Grant, to produce a concert of original Third Stream music in Boston, 1995 oWon “Honors Ensemble” auditions two consecutive years with his trio (1993-1994) and quintet (1994-1995) at New England Conservatory oPrize for Excellence in Trombone, Queensland Conservatorium, 1989 and 1991 oWinner of Brass Specialist Shop Competition, Queensland Conservatorium, 1991 oWinner of Yamaha Brass Competition, Queensland Conservatorium, 1992 oWinner of Queensland Conservatorium Jazz Prize, 1991, and joint winner, 1992 o Dr Gordon Spearitt Prize for Best Research Project, 1992

CRITICAL REVIEWS Some of the critics' comments about the music of Jonathan Dimond:

“wildly adventurous” “virtuosic” “astute compositional awareness” ”works of captivating beauty” “innovative and stunning composition” ”his teaching is responsible for the huge increase in focussed, internationally-viable jazz musicians coming out of the Conservatorium.”