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Jazz Area

Dave Panichi Trombone T: +61 2 6125 5755 E: Dave.Panichi@anu.edu.au

The Australian composer, arranger and trombonist Dave Panichi has enjoyed a long and varied career at the forefront of jazz and improvised music. He was born in Sydney, Australia. He turned professional in 1975. While in Sydney he had a varied career as a jazz and session musician. As a leading jazz improviser he played with the famous Daly-Wilson Big Band and Bob Bertles' quintet Moontrane. As a ubiquitous session musician, he was a staple member of staff orchestras at all leading television stations, Channels 2, 7, 9 and 10.

Seeking further opportunities, Dave moved to New York City in 1981, following the awarding of the Don Banks Memorial Scholarship by the Australia Council, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body. He lived in New York for 18 years, during which time he played with, amongst others, the Buddy Rich Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Blood Sweat & Tears, Slide Hampton, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Aretha Franklin, Mel Tormé, Peabo Bryson, Dave Liebman, Mulgrew Miller, Victor Lewis and Marc Copland.

In 2000, Dave returned to Australia and immediately took up a teaching position at the prestigious Australian National University in the nation's capital Canberra. While teaching a full load of classes, he continues to perform with leading Sydney ensembles, such as Mike Nock's Big Small Band.

His own current working band is a septet featuring the talents of Phil Slater (trumpet), Willow Neilson (saxophone), James Muller (guitar), Matt McMahon (piano), Brendan Clarke (bass) and Craig Simon (drums). This septet has headlined at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues, Australia's premier jazz festival.

School of Music faculty member since 2000.