James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano. At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed equally as fast. Just turned 16 James Morrison debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Following this were performances at the big festivals in Europe – including Montreaux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern - playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. There were also gigs in the world’s most famous jazz clubs – the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scott’s in London.

Here is what others are saying about James! -

 Leonard Feather in "Down Beat"  "... James Morrison is as sure a bet for jazz superstardom as Wynton Marsalis was in 1981" -

Wynton Marsalis in "The Sydney Daily Telegraph"  "Man, James Morrison can play - he's a great musician!" -

Ray Brown  "Indeed Morrison's virtuosity is so towering that he's not only competing with Wynton Marsalis for the No. 1 trumpet spot among today's young players, but is the first white trumpeter since Red Rodney surfaced in the '40s to be recognized by the jazz cognoscenti...." Morrison has a greater awareness of the blues and the art of improvisation - the essential ingredients in jazz - than many American players."

Leonard Feather in The Los Angeles Times-  "The movies have 'Crocodile Dundee', jazz has James Morrison. [...] Audiences at clubs in major cities have marvelled at his mastery of the trombone, trumpet, euphonium, flugelhorn, alto saxophone and piano. [...] Little doubt that he could be the next jazz superstar."

James Morrison’s career thus far has been diverse and perhaps not typical of most jazz musicians. He recorded "Jazz Meets the Symphony" with The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. In 1997, James was recognized for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

Apart from touring the world for most of the year James is also head of Morrison Records, an independent label dedicated to the best  jazz music.  His Brother John Morrison is also very much a part of the record label, (John is recording engineer as well as being a top drummer in Australia and Big Band leader for Swing City!)

His latest CD is a gospel jazz collection! James shares, "It's been a long time coming! I started singing in the church choir in 1970 and over the years I have played countless church & Gospel performances. I have recorded many Gospel tracks on other jazz albums but this is the first time he's made a completely Gospel recording. I grew up playing this music and it has always inspired me in a way that no other music can."  The Choir on the recording is provided by the vocal group, "The Idea of North" ( also CJA Network members!)
 

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