Jann Rutherford Real Audio Sample (810 kbs) Janns Music on CD can be purchased by contacting Access Arts Brisbane Email: info@accessarts.org.au

JANN RUTHERFORD  *This page remains on the site as a tribute to a great friend, mentor and one of Australia and New Zealand's best jazz pianists. Jann passed away on 9 March 2003 after a short battle with cancer. Jann's music and courage remains to inspire and mentor her many friends and fellow musicians.  *** Born Dunedin, New Zealand, 1964 Jann Started learning piano from the Age of three.  She studied classical music extensively until 1984.  In  1977 she won the Sir Denis and Lady Blundell (Governor General) Homai College prize "for showing outstanding determination which has Contributed to the spirit of the college as a whole".  In  1985 she gained a Diploma in Executant Music from Wellington Polytechnic, majoring in jazz. Jann performed regularly with Wellington musicians such as Roger Sellers and Paul Dyne, and also recorded for New Zealand national radio and television. Moving to Sydney, Australia, in 1989 she has since gained both An Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies  (studying with Roger Frampton And Mike Nock) and an Associate Diploma in Music Teaching.  In 1993 she received the LTCL (Licentiate Trinity College London) Diploma.  She has played with Kate Swadling's band Any Woman's Blues, and has recorded for the ABC, both as a solo pianist and with fellow New Zealand pianist Julian Lee. As well as her own trio, which includes Craig Scott (bass), and Alan Turnbull (drums), she also performs with the Graeme Norris Quintet, and the Ed Hughes Quintet. She recorded the CD Pentatomic in New York in 1995 with the Norris Quintet, and the CD Ed Street, with the Hughes Quintet in 1997.  Both these groups have also undertaken very successful tours. In  1990 and 1991 she gained second prize in the prestigious National Jazz Piano Competition at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz. In 1992 she won the competition outright. In  1993 Jann was nominated for a Mo Award for Most Outstanding Australian Female Jazz Musician.  In April 1993, she played at the Pinnacles jazz festival in Brisbane, both as a solo pianist, and as part of a group, which included the vocalist Sharny Russell.  She has also worked extensively with vocalists Kristen Cornwell and Nicky Crayson at leading Sydney hotels.  Other major performances were the Australian Women's Music Festival (September 1997), the Australian Jazz Festival held in Canberra in February 1999, two performances at the Wangaratta International Jazz Festival in October 1999 and the Martinets Choir 10th anniversary concert in March 2000. She has performed for numerous Jazz Action Societies throughout Australia and done many seasons at the Strawberry Hills Hotel and Side On Café in Sydney for the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA). She has performed as a solo Pianist as part of the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, works regularly at the Regent Hotel, Hotel Nikko and occasionally at the leading venue The Basement.  Her solo work (original compositions and improvisations) is featured on a Tall Poppies CD entitled "Discovery" (TP125) which was nominated for Australian CD of the year in 1998.   Jann is one of Sydney's most sought-after piano teachers, composers and arrangers, both in classical music and jazz. In the final month of Jann's life, she recorded a cd entitled "The Scented Garden", dedicated to her 'Mum and her rose garden'. It will be released in August/September 2003.

For  prices, availability, further details and to make a booking, please call or email Janelle at: tel/fax: (07) 3855 3048 Mobile: 0414 3855 30 Email: info@salubriousproductions.com ABN: 22 896 553 565 Link Back to the top of  the Page Return to Home Page Salubrious Productions thanks Arts Queensland for its generous support in the design of this web site.