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Eamon Dilworth's High 5
Eamon Dilworth's High 5 Eamon recently completed a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was a 2007 James Morrison…
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High 5
Eamon recently completed a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was a 2007 James Morrison Scholarship finalist. He began trumpet at 8 years old along with Violin, French horn and Double Bass. He has toured Europe and America (Australian All star Big Band), New Zealand and Hong Kong (Pan Pacific Big Band), and Perth with Sydney hip-hop outfit Kid Confucius.
Eamon has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Thredbo Jazz Festival, Montreax Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Dubbo Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, Jazzgroove Futures Festival, as well as Splendour in the Grass with popular act The Beautiful Girls. He has also had the opportunity to perform with Dale Barlow, James Morrison, John Morrison, Dan Barnett, Dave Panichi, James Muller and Sandy Evans.
Eamon has played at many Sydney venues leading bands at Soup Plus, The Basement and the Side-On Café. He has also played in the bands of Judy Bailey’s Jazz Connection, The Kings of Swing Big Band (Feat. Errol Buddle), Jay Miller Group and leads his own quintet “The Dilworth’s”.
In 2009 The Dilworths released their debut album entitled “introducing The Dilworths” on Jazzgroove records and launched the CD with a highly successful gig at The Basement supported by the great Judy Bailey.
Eamon’s travels have allowed him to study privately in New York with Laurie Frink, Brian Lynch, Lew Soloff, Ambrose Akinmusire and Jim Rotundi as well as regularly in Australia with Phil Slater, Warwick Alder, Scott Tinkler, Judy Bailey, Mike Nock, Matt McMahon and Dale Barlow.
“If you like your modern jazz creative, swinging and with attitude, check out the DILWORTHS impressive debut CD. Wonderfully mature playing and exceptional compositions, this is an outstandingly talented group of young musicians who are already making waves and who we’re going to be hearing a lot more from in the future.”
- Mike Nock, 2009
“The talent-packed Dilworths are a band to watch out for; their appealing compositions and articulate performances cannot be ignored”
- John McBeath (Weekend Australian 2010)
1. OMER AVITAL – The Jazz Standard, February 2008
(Omer Avital - Bass, Avishai Cohen - Trumpet, Joel Frahm - Tenor Sax, Omer Klein - Piano, Ziv Ravitz - Drums)
In January 2008 I made my first trip to New York and experienced 2-3 gigs a night for 6 weeks, with almost every single one blowing me away. One great gig I saw was the Omer Avital group. I had recently been listening to these Jewish Jazz guys on CDs back home and seeing them live was such an inspiring experience. The atmosphere of the room was so uplifting. The people seemed to be there not only to listen but to be involved in the communal experience elicited through Avital’s tunes. Members of the audience were audibly humming along to folk melodies quoted by the band. I was blown away by the energy with which they played, particularly the fiery sound of Avishai Cohen.
2. LONDON PHILHARMONIC – The Royal Albert Hall: Dvorak’s New World Symphony February 2009
This was the first orchestra concert I had been to on my own and for my own desire. I booked the cheapest tickets and sat behind the orchestra. I think this piece is remarkably beautiful. I was captivated by the simplicity within the thematic ideas of the piece. I came to the conclusion that when composing, I was trying to use so much material that I never actually developed the initial idea enough. This applied to my improvisations also. The things I love about hearing an orchestra in a concert hall are how freely each instrument’s tone colour can resonate and the ability for such a large group to achieve a wide dynamic range. This piece is an example of great voice leading.
3. LINDA OH TRIO - at 505, October 2009
(Ambrose Akinmusire - Trumpet, Linda Oh - Bass, Tommy Crane - Drums)
I’ve been following Ambrose’s music for about 2 years now, starting with a Walter Smith III album Alex Boneham introduced me to. While in New York in 2009 (for my second trip), instead of getting multiple lessons again with heaps of different players I organised a lesson and hang with Ambrose. In the 4 hours we discussed music and what inspires us to achieve and he stressed to me how important it is to have goals, a five year plan and to be focused on your own sound and what kinds of gigs you want to be doing. He has since been such a big inspiration and hearing him talk about learning with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard (some of my musical heroes) made me so excited to hear he was coming out with Linda Oh’s Trio. I saw their workshop and 505 gig and was not disappointed. Ambrose’s concept is so fresh and exciting. Along with Terence Blanchard, I feel Ambrose has a real gift for conveying beauty in music and transcending the complexities of harmony and rhythm.
4. PAUL GRABOWSKY – City Recital Hall, Angel Place - Tales of Time and Space, January 2005
(Paul Grabowsky - Piano, Scott Tinkler - Trumpet, Joe Lovano - Saxophones, Ed Schuller - Bass, Simon Barker - Drums)
In 2004 I bought a copy of the album, based on the names in the band and having no idea what it would sound like. This was one of the most modern albums I owned but I listened to it over and over and got so caught up in the melodies. My favourite parts of the album were the quartet moments with Tinkler who I think plays so lyrically. When it was announced they’d be bringing the band for the Sydney Festival 2005 I was naturally stoked and booked second row centre tickets straight away. The gig was interesting as it was the first gig I went to knowing the music back to front, so when they played all the songs from the album I was slightly caught off guard by the improvisations. Not that I mean to say the gig wasn’t as good, but more of a testament to how great the solos reflected the compositions.
5. JOSHUA REDMAN DOUBLE TRIO – The Highline Ballroom NY February 2009
(Joshua Redman - Saxophones, Larry Grenadier - Bass, Rueben Rogers - Bass, Gregory Hutchinson - Drums, Brian Blade - Drums)
This was the launch gig for Joshua’s latest album Compass with the double trio. It was a bit of a dream band, with Greg and Brian set up facing each other, Larry and Rueben side by side, and Joshua centre stage. This band has everything for me. It has a wide appeal in that the music is deep enough for most musicians to dig and at the same time Joshua’s stage presence and rapport with the audience keeps everyone captivated.
