Paul Furniss
Encyclopedia
Paul Furniss is an Australia
n jazz
musician who has been recognised internationally. He is regarded as one of Australia's best jazz musicians. He is a noted clarinetist and saxophonist but can play a number of instruments including clarinet
, flute
, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone
s.
in Sydney
. After high school, Furniss worked as an electrical engineer until the advent of the Jazz Studies program at the NSW Conservatorium of Music
, when he became involved both as a student and lecturer. Furniss also studied with the prominent jazz musician Don Burrows
.
In 1979, Furniss took over the leadership of the Jazz Band.
In 1982, Furniss was chosen to join Bill Dillard
's band for the show "One Mo' Time", which ran for several months in both Melbourne and Sydney. He toured with Dillard and the Blue Serenaders in Australia the following year for the Victorian Arts Council.
He has also played for the Sidney Bechet
Society in New York
.
In 2004, Furniss played in leading Australian jazz musician Graeme Bell
's reunion band. He has also played with other notable jazz artists such as Dave Dallwitz
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician who has been recognised internationally. He is regarded as one of Australia's best jazz musicians. He is a noted clarinetist and saxophonist but can play a number of instruments including clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s.
Early life
Furniss was educated at Homebush Boys High SchoolHomebush Boys High School
Homebush Boys High School, founded in 1936, is a comprehensive public high school for boys. It is located in Homebush, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. After high school, Furniss worked as an electrical engineer until the advent of the Jazz Studies program at the NSW Conservatorium of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia...
, when he became involved both as a student and lecturer. Furniss also studied with the prominent jazz musician Don Burrows
Don Burrows
Donald Vernon Burrows, AO, MBE is an Australian jazz and swing musician, playing the clarinet, saxophone, and flute....
.
Career
In 1975, Furniss became an inaugural member of Tom Baker's San Francisco Jazz Band.In 1979, Furniss took over the leadership of the Jazz Band.
In 1982, Furniss was chosen to join Bill Dillard
Bill Dillard
Bill Dillard was an American swing music jazz trumpeter, actor and singer born in Pennsylvania, probably better known for his work with the big bands of Benny Carter, Luis Russell and Teddy Hill, among others. He also had an acting career on Broadway.-References:...
's band for the show "One Mo' Time", which ran for several months in both Melbourne and Sydney. He toured with Dillard and the Blue Serenaders in Australia the following year for the Victorian Arts Council.
He has also played for the Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
Society in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 2004, Furniss played in leading Australian jazz musician Graeme Bell
Graeme Bell
Graeme Emerson Bell AO MBE is an Australian Dixieland and classical jazz pianist, composer and band leader...
's reunion band. He has also played with other notable jazz artists such as Dave Dallwitz
Dave Dallwitz
Dave Dallwitz was an Australian jazz pianist, bandleader and composer in both the ragtime and dixieland idioms. He was born in Freeling, South Australia. He is perhaps best known for having worked with some of Australia's more progressive musicians such as John Sangster, Bob Barnard and Len Barnard...
.