James Macaulay is original, passionate, uninhibited and on top of his game as a trombonist. Featuring as a part of The Monash Art Ensemble with Paul Grabowsky, The Horns of Leroy, The Steve Grant Quintet, Martin Martini, The Bennetts Lane Big Band, Allan Browne’s Sextet Nouvelle, The Lagerphones and The Australian Art Orchestra, James has also stepped into the spotlight with his own group, the James Macaulay Quartet.  The quartet features the extraordinary Steve Grant (C.W. Stoneking, Black Arm Band) on piano, Tamara Murphy (Allan Browne, Murphy’s Law) on bass and James McLean (Marc Hannaford, Scott Tinkler) on drums.

 

Connecting himself to a tangible tradition of Melbourne jazz, James likes playing with ‘old dudes’. He describes his own music as ‘straight ahead jazz in a free manner, with a strong element of groove’, and ‘not about girls’. He sees music as honest work, plays on the edge of his technique, and has a cool disdain for clinical displays of virtuosity. Instead, his practice more reflects the lost art of holding a record party for friends when you buy a new jazz record.

 

“James is an outstanding trombone player, one of the best in the country. Considering the strength of the brass scene here this puts him in the ‘world class’ category - an extraordinary achievement for someone of his age.” – Peter Knight 

 

“James is considered by many to be the most significant and innovative young trombone players in Australia, and I certainly support this view. James’ approach is rare in that it boldly displays intelligence and ferocious command of the instrument whilst remaining warm and lyrical. James is also one of the few emerging musicians with a genuine passion and respect for the historical legacy of the jazz in Australia. Above all, James is vehemently dedicated to personal and musical excellence.” – Eugene Ball

 

James studied music at Monash University under Julien Wilson, Paul Williamson and Jordan Murray.  James was awarded the “Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music Jazz Prize” (Composition Award) in 2012.  James completed Honours in 2013, studying complex rhythms with Scott Tinkler and writing about the Hoodangers and their unique place in the continuum of the Melbourne trad scene. James's collaboration, performance and recording highlights include:

 

Australian Art Orchestra

 Hardcore on the Fly series (with Scott Tinkler), 2012 and 2014

 Australian Art Orchestra Twentieth Anniversary, November 2014

 

Bennetts Lane Big Band (as member, composer and arranger)

 From 2011 (ongoing)

 

Recording Highlights

 Eugene Ball’s Intrusions, May 2014 (following performance at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 2013)

 Paul Grabowsky’s Shapeshifter (winner of Best Australian Contemporary Avant-garde Jazz Album at the Bell Awards 2014)

 The Monash Series CDs (including George Garzone and Hermeto Pascoal), 2013

 

Performance Highlights – International Musicians

 George Garzone 

 Hermeto Pascoal 

 Maria Schneider

 Oliver Lake

 John Taylor

 Paul McCandless

 Nasheet Waits

 Eric Revis

 Jim Black

 Mark Helias

 

Performance Highlights – Australian Musicians

 Paul Grabowsky

 Allan Browne (various ensembles/projects)

 Harry James Angus Band

 Tim Wilson Quartet

 Flap!

 Clairy Browne & The Banging Rackettes