JONATHAN DIMOND’S BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION
Jonathan has been University-educated in the fields of Classical music and Jazz/Improvisation. His degrees include:
• PhD in Composition - University of Queensland (Brisbane, 2018)
• Master of Music in Contemporary Improvisation (with Academic Honors) - New England Conservatory (Boston, USA, 2006)
• Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Improvisation (with Distinction in Performance) - New England Conservatory (Boston, USA, 1995)
• Bachelor of Music in Classical trombone performance - Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Brisbane, Australia, 1992)

Jonathan has also undergone training in North Indian classical music in Pune, India.
Jonathan Dimond's teachers have included: Arthur Middleton, Phil Davis (trombone); Jerry Leake, Warren Senders, Shri Bharat Jangam (tabla); Bob Moses, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood, Oscar Stagnaro (bass); Ran Blake, Scott Sandvik, Dominique Eade (improvisation and Third Stream methodology); Abby Rabinovitz, Peter Row, Harriotte Hurie (Indian modal improvisation); Joe Maneri (microtones); Mary Mageau, Gerard Brophy, Stephen Cronin, Dominique Eade and Pozzi Escot (composition).

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Since 1989 Jonathan Dimond has been active as a private teacher, passing on his experience and skills in a wholistic and dedicated manner. In 1994 Mr Dimond was the Teacher's Aid for a class in North Indian music, employed through the Third Stream Department of New England Conservatory. He also ran the Jazz Composers' Ensemble at NEC from 1993-5.
In 1996 he commenced part-time Tertiary lecturing at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, teaching a self-designed ear training course and electric bass. In the same year he also took on regular employment in St.Josephs High School's music department.
In 1997 Mr. Dimond commenced five years full-time employment as Jazz Department Coordinator at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, teaching ear training, jazz and classical theory, bass, trombone, introduction to Indian music, songwriting/arranging, concert practice, and assuming administrative responsibilities. In 2000 he was tenured into this position.
In 2002 he resigned from the full-time position in order to pursue a diverse range of performing and teaching experiences in Australia, the USA and Japan.
After 4 years overseas Jonathan returned to Australia. From 2007 through 2010 he was teaching music full-time at Box Hill Institute of TAFE in Melbourne. He has been Senior Lecturer and Head of Program for the Bachelor of Music degree at Melbourne Polytechnic (formerly NMIT) since 2011.

RECORDINGS
A range of commercially-released recordings which feature Jonathan Dimond as a composer, arranger, trombonist, bassist, and/or tabla player. Visit the discography and video pages for a sampling.

"Classical Studies for Electric Bass Guitar (Vol.1)" (2014, JD Records)
A CD of classical compositions by Bach and Kreutzer, interpreted on 6-string electric bass guitar.

"Classical Studies for Electric Bass Guitar (Vol.2)" (2020, JD Records)
A CD of J.S. Bach's two-part inventions, interpreted on 5- and 6-string electric bass guitars.

"Yakiya" (2017, Tall Poppies Records)
Tripataka's debut album featuring original jazz fused with world music influences.

"Gliese 667C" (2023, Earshift Records)
Tripataka's second album featuring original jazz fused with world music influences.

"Journeys: People, Places" (2005, JD Records)
A CD of original compositions in the jazz and Indo-jazz fusion style.

"Airwaves: 100 Years of Radio" (2005, Serrated Records)
Loops and Topology created a work that celebrates the century with a 75-minute composition looking back over some key figures and events as immortalised by radio recordings. The combined 8-piece band play along with the recorded voices of Churchill, Hitler, Gandhi, Earhardt, Whitlam, Howard, Freud, Einstein, Bradman, Melba, and a host of others, including Marconi himself. These figures are heard in "voice portraits" - a new technique using characteristic intonation patterns of a person's speech to make melody. The band plays music designed to emphasise this melody, so that when Bill Clinton talks about "that woman", it sounds like he's singing. The result is a new kind of opera. The two ensembles combine different approaches - Topology's contemporary classical perspective and Loops' jazz background - to create a new, wide-ranging ethos.

Artisans Workshop: "Artisans Workshop" (1993, Tall Poppies)
"Youth and exceptional ability virtually guarantee that their music will offer listening experiences akin to the gravity-defying configurations of skaters on a tall ramp..." Sydney Morning Herald

Mastaneh Nazarian: "Kafka Pony" (2006, MastMusic)

Loops: "Recursion" (1999, JD Records)
"The European classical tradition is at least as influential here as jazz. But then avant-garde sound sculpture, progressive rock and Indian classical music are also salient ingredients in this fascinating recipe." Sydney Morning Herald

Loops: "Ek!" double CD (2001, JD Records)
"All of this music is lyrical in a fresh and unsentimental way." Sydney Morning Herald

Jonathan performed on trombone on the recordings of JuJu: "Jeff Usher's Jazz Unit Vol.I" (1991) and the double CD "Jeff Usher's Jazz Unit Vol.II" (1993)

Jonathan performed on trombone with the New England Conservatory Jazz Bigband: "Events Dancing" (1995, Music & Arts)

Jonathan Dimond has also played in commercial studio projects for T.V. and radio.

PERFORMANCES
Jonathan's talent was spotted early, as published in a review of a concert he participated in during a tour to Sydney:
"...at age 14 (Jonathan) sounds like Bill Harris did all those years ago". (Kevin Casey, 8/4/1986).

• Artistic Collaborations:
Jonathan Dimond has featured on-stage with such diverse and renowned artists as John Denver, Paul Grabowsky, George Russell, Mike Nock, Roger Dean, Lou Rawls, Guru Karaikudi Mani, Bob Moses, Ronnie Corbett, Gulfam Sabri, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ran Blake, Satoko Fujii, James Morrison, Arthur Lipner, Darryl Pratt, Virgil Donati, and Roger Frampton. He has participated in masterclasses with Cecil Taylor, and Urbie Green and Trilok Gurtu.

• Venues:
He has performed at such key venues as the Sydney Opera House, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Jordan Hall (Boston), Lincoln Center (New York), the REDCAT theater (Los Angeles) and the Brisbane Powerhouse.

• Bands:
From 1995 his chief creative performance outlet has been his band "Loops", an eclectic ensemble which performs original compositions fusing jazz, classical and world musics. Loops have performed in festivals, concerts, clubs, and theatres around Australia. Prior to "Loops", Jonathan was also a member of the group Artisans' Workshop. Jonathan's current creative project is Tripataka.

• Guest Artist:
As a 6-string electric bassist, Jonathan has featured with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on the Steve Martland composition "Hard Times" (written for the Australian Chamber Orchestra and "Bang On a Can All Stars", performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics). He also performed the Australian premiers of Jeff Beal's "Concerto for Jazz Bass and Orchestra", and Gerard Brophy's "Hot Metallic Blues". He has performed as guest bassist with Wind Symphony Ensembles at Boston University (conducted by David J. Martins) and New England Conservatory (conducted by Frank Battisti), performing works by Frank Zappa and Rob Smith.

• Shows:
As a trombonist, tabla-player and electric bassist, Jonathan has performed in numerous settings as a pit musician for music theatre. Some of the show productions have included "Jerry's Girls", "Grease", "Bats", "Workin'", "Stars", and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman".

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Numerous awards and scholarships have facilitated Jonathan's study and performances in India, Japan, U.S.A. and across Australia. These include:
• American Composers' Forum "Subito" grant for assistance in producing a CD of original compositions, 2004
• Asialink Performing Arts Residency for professional development in Japan, 2002-2003
• Playing Australia grant to tour interstate, 2000
• Queens Trust scholarship to travel to India for intensive study of tabla, 1998-1999
• Australia Council for the Arts: Individual Development Grant, to study North Indian music, contemporary composition, improvisation & ear-training in Boston, 1994-1995
• Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor's Performing Arts Fellowship to travel to India for intensive study of tabla, 1995-6
• Arts Queensland: Professional Development Grant, to produce a concert of original Third Stream music in Boston, 1995
• Won three "Honors Ensemble" auditions at New England Conservatory with his trio (1993-1994), quintet (1994-1995), and trio (2005-2006)
• Winner of Yamaha Brass Competition, Queensland Conservatorium, 1992
• Winner of Queensland Conservatorium Jazz Prize, 1991, and joint winner, 1992
• Dr Gordon Spearitt Prize for Best Research Project, 1992
• Prize for Excellence in Trombone, Queensland Conservatorium, 1989 and 1991
• Winner of Brass Specialist Shop Competition, Queensland Conservatorium, 1991
• Winner of the Ricky May Memorial Jazz Competition, 1990

Jonathan has been a full writer member with APRA since 1989.

REFERENCES
Please contact me for references on my teaching and performance.

NOW
Please refer to my Now page for my recent activities within and outside of music.