John Morrison

Who is John Morrison?

John Morrison is an Australian jazz drummer, band leader, music educator and experienced commercial pilot. While he is not as famous as his younger brother James Morrison, he is a significant musician in his own right.

Voted as one of Australia’s best Big Band drummers, his big band “Swing City” was selected to open the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Throughout his career John Morrison and his many groups have headlined every major event and festival in Australia.

As the eldest of the Morrison family, John has spent much of his musical life playing and recording with his younger brother James Morrison. At age 8, John began playing cornet in the school brass band and by the age of 10 had built his first drum set from pots and pans. In these early few years he played many different instruments and styles but jazz drumming was to be his calling.

John’s driving swing feel has been heard with many internationally well known artists including James Moody, Scott Hamilton, Richie Cole, Christian McBride, John and Jeff Clayton, Garry Dial, Jimmy Whitherspoon, Eartha Kitt, Bobby Gebert, Don Burrows, George Golla, and Bob Barnard.

Further to his busy playing schedule, John is a gifted educator, producer, and patron of many outstanding youth bands and orchestras. He has mentored literally hundreds of young musicians into successful playing careers and as a record producer engineered many of Australia’s finest award winning albums.