Graham Wood (musician)

Graham Wood is a Jazz Pianist from Perth, Western Australia born 15 September 1971. He is Program Director of Music at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). After commencing full-time work at WAAPA as lecturer in Jazz piano in 2001, he was quickly promoted and became Head of The Jazz Department in 2005 and Program Director of Music in mid-2006.

The Ellington Jazz Club

In 2009 he opened The Ellington Jazz Club [1] in Perth, Western Australia and this business has quickly become one of the most successful Jazz clubs in Australia featuring live music 7 nights a week. In the first year, the venue put on 520 shows and featured 2586 musicians.

CD Releases

He has also released 3 CD's as a leader including REAL, JAZZ JUICE, THE G TRAIN.

Awards

In 2010 he won a WAMi award for best Jazz Act after playing more than 100 shows with the trio in 2009/2010.

Research

He is also a PhD candidate at The University of Western Australia School of Music and is completing his thesis in 2010 entitled "Factors affecting the performance wellness of Jazz pianists in practice and performance". He has presented two papers at the Performing Arts Medicine Association annual conference in Aspen Colorado. [2]

Commissions

In addition to this he has been commissioned to compose several large works including a 2002 commission from The Fremantle International Jazz Festival to compose a one hour composition entitled "Joan". [3] This work was reviewed by The Australian and described by music critic Richard John as "an astonishing achievement" 1995 Composition commission "Common Ground" by the Perth Jazz Society [www.perthjazzsociety.com/] 1997 Composition commission "The Indian Ocean Trilogy" by the Perth Jazz Society [www.perthjazzsociety.com/]

Performances with notable Jazz artists

Graham has performed with the following world renowned jazz artists at festivals, concerts and club appearances. Sheila Jordan US Vocalist Ernie Watts US Saxophonist Cindy Blackman US Drummer Dave Weckl US Drummer Claire Martin UK Vocalist James Carter US Saxophonist Sam Rivers US Saxophonist Dave Liebman US Saxophonist Reggie Workman US Bassist Pete La Roca US Drummer Peter Leitch US Guitarist Frank Gibson Jr NZ Drummer Frank Foster US Saxophonist Terrell Stafford US Trumpeter Ronald Carter US Saxophonist Claire Daly Us Saxophonist Virginia Mayhew US Saxophonist Alison Miller US Drummer Dave O'Higgins UK Saxophonist Ingred Jensen US Trumpeter John Wickan US Drummer Mark Murphy US Vocalist Chris McNulty US Vocalist Paul Bollenback US Guitarist Greg Osby US saxophonist Carmen Lundy US vocalist Lica Cecato Brazilian vocalist Bob Sheppard US saxophonist Mike Moreno US Guitarist Gretchen Parlato US Vocalist George Garzone US saxophonist Jon Gordon US Saxophonist

References

• Collins, Simon. The West Australian, Perth, 21 May 2010.
• Banks, Ron. "The West Australian", Perth, 17 March 2009.
• Peterson, Sandra. "The Sunday Times Home Magazine", Perth, 30 May 2010.
• Gordon, Bob. "X-Press Magazine", Perth, 4 March 2010
• Appleby, Rosalind. "The West Australian", Perth, 9 August 2009
• John, Richard. "The Australian", Sydney, 29 January 2002
• Spencer, Doug. "ABC Radio National, The Weekend Planet" [4]
• Blue, Eliza. "ABC News, Stateline Western Australian" [5]
• WAAPA Slow Release website [6]
• Additional media items see [7]