ADRIAN CUNNINGHAM
Testimonial
The AMMA 7* Tenor mouthpiece is killing! It is rounder and fuller in sound than the Lebayle LR, Guardala BRII and Guardala Studio mouthpieces I've been toying with over the years. One of my struggles has been finding a mouthpiece that projects yet doesn't compromise a full tone, and the AMMA achieves that balance. The KALI alto is miles ahead of the Lebayle, Dukoff, and Beechler I was playing on. I used to shy away from metal alto mouthpieces because of their harsh tone, but the KALI metal alto feels great. At last an alto metal mouthpiece with personality!
Biography
Originally starting his career on piano at the age of 16, Adrian Cunningham is now known for his ability to swap seamlessly between alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute. He is one of this Australia's finest jazz musicians and multi-instrumentalists, with countless club and festival appearances plus a number of highly acclaimed albums. Adrianu0092s has the incredible ability to paint a musical picture or capture the energy of a moment with his melodic song writing and improvisation. His songs have twice been featured on the In Flight program on Qantas domestic and international flights as well as gaining significant air play on radio stations around the country. As well as playing all over the country with his own band, The Adrian Cunningham Quartet, Adrian is also one of most in demand freelance musicians in the country. In 2005 Adrian was nominated for two MO awards: Jazz Instrumentalist of the year and Best Jazz Group. He has been a member of two prominent jazz groups: the famous Galapagos Duck and the Sydney All Star Big Band. Adrian has toured extensively with his own quartet, and in 2007 launched his third album to rave reviews. Adrian has played at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland as a special guest as well as other countries in Europe, Asia, North America and even Africa. In 2008 launched his newest CD with fellow Sydney woodwind specialist Graham Jesse. Adrian currently resides in New York City and is working with renowned drummer George Coleman Jr., New York institution Sweet Georgia brown, and regularly performs in Downtown Manhattan, and Harlem.
more
Inspiration
Why did you choose to become a musician?
In my last year of school I attended a combined schools music camp. I didn't get into the top band which was disappointing, but I decided to form my own New Orleans jazz group. We performed at the last day's concert and everyone went nuts! I remember thinking to myself- this would be pretty cool to do as a job.
What is your experience when you feel connected into the music?
Joy. When it's all feeling good and the band is cooking there's nothing else like it.
What is your experience of when you don't feel connected to your music?
The opposite of joy! But I always tell myself no matter how bad the situation (or the band) there is still some growth to be had. So make the best of it. Also I find if I feel that way and hear myself back on recording it's never as bad as I thought. It's so hard to be an objective observer when you're in it.
Where does your inspiration comes from? What does it feel like?
Inspiration for being a musician? Generally speaking I'm inspired by recordings of the greats. And of course if there's a bad ass player sitting in the audience! (That always helps me want to play better). Also, just being in New York City. Being inspired, that feeling of excitement and wanting to be better and more in touch with myself is one of the reasons I get up in the morning.
What is your experience while improvising? Does it relate to any spirituality you may practice in your life?
Improvising is the essence of being in the moment. I'm sure this is a common response. It's one of the reasons we all do what we do. To be free of self judgement and reactive to what's going on around us is a spiritual thing in itself. The difficult part is being so in touch with your instrument that the years of technical practice will hopefully pay off and you can pick up your horn and it's an extension of yourself. That's the hard part. It's something I imagine I'll be working the rest of my life to get closer to.
Where does your inspiration while composing come from? What is your experience of that inspiration like?
For writing it comes from life experience, people and places. To try and invoke a mood. However that's the easy part. Anyone can have a great two bar melody. I've got many sitting at home. The hard part is developing it into something coherent. To turn it into something. That's the bit that takes hard work and practice just like developing technique on an instrument.
Do you have any fun stories of inspirational moments to share?
I was backpacking in Africa may years ago, and while in Harare (before Mugabe screwed everything up) I heard a busker/beggar singing the most soulful unaccompanied music I've ever heard. It was truly beautiful. Here was someone who had nothing and was singing with such conviction and passion it was overwhelming. That is something I strive for when I play. I don't think I've ever gotten close.
more
In my last year of school I attended a combined schools music camp. I didn't get into the top band which was disappointing, but I decided to form my own New Orleans jazz group. We performed at the last day's concert and everyone went nuts! I remember thinking to myself- this would be pretty cool to do as a job.
What is your experience when you feel connected into the music?
Joy. When it's all feeling good and the band is cooking there's nothing else like it.
What is your experience of when you don't feel connected to your music?
The opposite of joy! But I always tell myself no matter how bad the situation (or the band) there is still some growth to be had. So make the best of it. Also I find if I feel that way and hear myself back on recording it's never as bad as I thought. It's so hard to be an objective observer when you're in it.
Where does your inspiration comes from? What does it feel like?
Inspiration for being a musician? Generally speaking I'm inspired by recordings of the greats. And of course if there's a bad ass player sitting in the audience! (That always helps me want to play better). Also, just being in New York City. Being inspired, that feeling of excitement and wanting to be better and more in touch with myself is one of the reasons I get up in the morning.
What is your experience while improvising? Does it relate to any spirituality you may practice in your life?
Improvising is the essence of being in the moment. I'm sure this is a common response. It's one of the reasons we all do what we do. To be free of self judgement and reactive to what's going on around us is a spiritual thing in itself. The difficult part is being so in touch with your instrument that the years of technical practice will hopefully pay off and you can pick up your horn and it's an extension of yourself. That's the hard part. It's something I imagine I'll be working the rest of my life to get closer to.
Where does your inspiration while composing come from? What is your experience of that inspiration like?
For writing it comes from life experience, people and places. To try and invoke a mood. However that's the easy part. Anyone can have a great two bar melody. I've got many sitting at home. The hard part is developing it into something coherent. To turn it into something. That's the bit that takes hard work and practice just like developing technique on an instrument.
Do you have any fun stories of inspirational moments to share?
I was backpacking in Africa may years ago, and while in Harare (before Mugabe screwed everything up) I heard a busker/beggar singing the most soulful unaccompanied music I've ever heard. It was truly beautiful. Here was someone who had nothing and was singing with such conviction and passion it was overwhelming. That is something I strive for when I play. I don't think I've ever gotten close.
VIDEOS
SOUNDCLIPS
IMAGES
DISCOGRAPHY
Myspace
Facebook