John Burgess

Electric Bass – Double Bass – Production.

John Burgess is an instrumentalist and composer specialising in bass guitar, electric double bass and music technology. He is a graduate of the ANU School of Music where he studied Jazz bass under the tutelage of Eric Ajaye. Throughout his study, John also developed an interest in Western classical and world fusion styles alongside his Jazz and contemporary electronic influences.

John combines various styles of bass playing into his own compositions, from fretless bass guitar to arco electric double bass, and explores how they can be both melodic and countermelodic in a composition. He is also interested in how to incorporate digital and electronic technology into compositions and live performance.

The highlights of Johns playing career include being chosen as 1 of 4 soloists to perform at the Sydney Opera House with the International YouTube Symphony Orchestra in 2011 conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. John was also an artist in residence at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music where he performed as a soloist on the electric double bass with an orchestra. He has also performed alongside his mentor Eric and with the virtuosic and renowned drummer David Jones.

John pushes students to broaden their musical horizons and develop their musicianship holistically, giving them the skills to perform, compose and produce music.