The Melbourne jazz scene  joinedalt the broader Melbourne contemporary music in mourning the tragic loss of drummer Peter Jones on Friday, May 18, at the age of 49, after a courageous and long battle with brain cancer. A member of the first intake of the Jazz Course at the V.C.A. in 1982, he formed strong bonds with fellow students Stephen Hadley, Rob Burke and the late Jamie Fielding, who was a particularly strong influence on his musical thinking. They performed together weekly as a jazz trio at The Green Man, which transformed into the originals music of Recent Theft, and later the industrial rock group Transwaste. Peter also performed with Odwala and Sydney saxophonist Mark Simmonds as part of the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative’s inaugural 1983 concert series at the RMIT Glasshouse Theatre. This musical journey is documented on the 3-CD compilation set of Jamie Fielding’s, Notes from the Underground(AIJA Records).                                                                                                                       Peter had evolved into a musician who knew no musical boundaries, and continued to freely cross between jazz, rock and pop throughout his career – committing to the music that he felt was honest and had spirit. His early jazz credentials included stints with the Kate Ceberano Septet, then Vince Jones and later The Jextet and Ruby Carter. In the rock sphere he was a member of Harem Scarem from 1985-1989, and later Deadstar with Caroline Kennedy, Nick Seymour (Crowded House) and Barry Palmer (Hunters and Collectors) for their second album. He played for many years in the long-running Dianna Kiss, and also performed with Ross Hannaford, Rowland S. Howard, Chris Wilson, Charlie Marshall and Lisa Miller. His highest profile ‘gig’ was as the drummer for Crowded House for extended periods (including a U.S. stadium tour, and the ‘Farewell To The World’ concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House) after Paul Hester had left the band. Peter had been teaching in high schools for several years, and was an incredibly popular teacher and mentor to many students. – Martin Jackson

 

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