Veteran drummer John Pochee is a finalist in the 2007 Classical Music Awards.
John, leader of Ten Part Invention and described by the Awards as an “Australian jazz pioneer and international ambassador”, has been short-listed with three other people for their Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music.
John Pochée has worked as a jazz musician for more than 50 years. He has been influential in numerous jazz ensembles, including groups featuring that other legend of the Australian scene, Bernie McGann.
Their long association has produced some of Australia’s most important jazz music: their recordings have won four Aria awards, and their trio has been awarded two MO awards for Best Jazz Group.
Ten-Part Invention has made a sustained commitment to the performance of contemporary Australian jazz, and this year celebrates its 20th birthday.
John also leads the quintet, The Space Cadets, featuring trumpeter Warwick Alder along with some of Sydney’s upcoming young jazz musicians.
In May 2006, John was awarded The Graeme Bell Hall of Fame Career Achievement Award by an international panel of judges at the Australian Jazz Awards held in Melbourne.
The other finalists for the Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music award are:
The 2007 Classical Music Awards are presented by APRA and the Australian Music Centre.
The Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 12 September 2007 at the Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay.
The event will be broadcast live on ABC Classic FM from 7pm.
More information about the Awards can be found at:
www.apra.com.au/awards or www.amcoz.com.au/projects
Source: Jazz Australia and Classical Music Awards