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Simon Pilbrow

Melbourne based, freelance jazz pianist Learned classical piano and violin as a child, spent year in US 1979, studied briefly at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee 1979; leader of Monash Jazz Quintet (1980- 82), Monash University Big Band 1982-3, solo jazz piano gigs 1980-now, Simon Pilbrow Quartet 1983-4, Julian Driscoll Quartet 1985-87; performed with Allan Browne, Gary Costello, Geoff Kluke, Ben Robertson; Nick Haywood; Edward York; guitarist George Golla in June 1988; house pianist Royal Derby Jazz Jam (1990); Graham Finch Quartet (1999-2002) and Peninsula Jazz Trio (2002->2009), residency Hickinbotham’s Winery (2000-2006), and featured guests including Savannah Blount, Gianni Marinucci; Pete Mitchell, many others, and Australian jazz legends George Golla, Alan Lee and Don Burrows; “Dizzy’s” Big Band 2004

Led Simon Pilbrow Trio and ran a series of fundraiser jazz concerts for relief of world natural disasters 2010-2011. Solo piano fundraisers 2015-16 for projects in East Timor. More recently gigs with singer Lizzy Gascoigne and with saxophonist Ron Gillett in the Ron Gillett/Simon Pilbrow Duo.

Also active in church music since 1974 and in recent years played on music team at New Peninsula Church (2009-2016).

Many jazz compositions (including “Ballad for Thad”, “Tribute” (to Bill Evans) and “Studio City”). Selection of early compositions (pre-1988) are now permanently held in the US Library of Congress, in the Gerry Mulligan Collection. Check the collection at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu011017.3

CD entitled Colours Of Sound - Simon Pilbrow with the Brent Fischer Orchestra (Clavo Records) - featuring 12 Simon Pilbrow compositions, with arrangements by Brent Fischer, recorded in Los Angeles, was released on September 27 2017. Check it out and purchase via simonpilbrowmusic.com Can also purchase on CD Baby

Medical Biography studied medicine Monash University, Australia, MBBS 1985 ; medical research 1988-1991, intl. publications, PhD 1993. Working as full time General Practitioner since 1992

married, 2 sons

Gear

Roland RD 700 digital/electronic piano Yamaha M1 acoustic piano


Tags

6
Album Review

Simon Pilbrow with the Brent Fischer Orchestra: Colours of Sound

Read "Colours of Sound" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Given the unusual circumstances behind its inception, the album Colours of Sound probably never should have made it to a recording studio. The fact that it did is a happenstance for which every big-band lover and jazz enthusiast should be thankful. The odyssey began in 2011 when Australian composer / pianist Simon Pilbrow wrote a letter of appreciation to the celebrated American composer / pianist Clare Fischer. After Clare Fischer passed away in 2012, Pilbrow stayed in touch with and ...

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"...young pianist Simon Pilbrow's Bill Evans-inspired playing...."

- Graham Osborne, "The Age" Melbourne, June 17 , 1988

"...George Golla did a neat duet with local pianist Simon Pilbrow on 'Con Alma'.... The night began with a brief set from Pilbrow, Kluke and Browne, paying tribute to the late Bill Evans, with songs like 'very Early' and 'How My Heart Sings"...... It is no insult to Pilbrow to suggest that he did not quite capture Evans' rhythmic suppleness, melodic lucidity and harmonic ingenuity - very few pianists could - but he did bring these qualities to mind, playing with impressive sureness and clarity.

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Melbourne

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

jazz piano and theory - private lessons - after hours

Music

Videos

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