Simon Barker's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Simon studied in Australia with John Collins and in New York with John Riley, Keith Copeland and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Since returning home in 1990 he has performed throughout Australia, Europe, Asia and the US including a 17-city Tran-Siberian concert tour of Russia with the Mark Isaacs trio. In 2005 Simon created Kimnara Records, an independent label presenting new music by Australian improvisers.

He is involved in several collaborative projects including Band of Five Names, Showa 44 and Red Fish Blue. In 2005, Simon was invited to create a cultural exchange event as part of the Australia Month Festival in Seoul, Korea, which led to the formation of Daorim, a group also featuring pansori singer Bae Il Tong, Korean traditional percussionist Kim Dong Won, Phil Slater, Matt McMahon and Carl Dewhurst. The group has since been invited to perform at the 2006 Jeonju Sori Festival in Korea, and the 2007 Queensland Festival, Australia.

Recent projects include performances with Elvis Costello and the SSO, Ruby’s Story with Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter and the Australian Art Orchestra, Paul Grabowsky’s song cycle “Before Time Could Change” us as well as concerts with Paul Grabowsky, Joe Lovano, Ed Schuller and Scott Tinkler, performing Tales of Time and Space. He has also been touring Europe and the US with Lucinda Peters and has been working in Australia with Katie Noonan.

He occupies the drummers chair regularly with many of Australia’s finest jazz groups including Vince Jones, Scott Tinkler Trio, Cameron Undy’s 20th Century Dog, The Phil Slater qt and the Matt McMahon Trio. Simon has also played with many international touring artists including Claire Martin, Sheila Jordan, Gary Smulyan, John Hicks and Carlos Ward.

Equally active in the jazz education field Simon gives workshops and private tuition at universities throughout East Asia including the Beijing Central Music Academy, Mahidol University (Thailand), All That Jazz series (Hong Kong), Hanoi Jazz co-op (Vietnam), Seoul Jazz Academy (Korea) and the Christchurch Polytech (NZ). In 1998 and 2000, he was a guest performer for the Canberra School of Music’s Jazz Initiative. In 2005 he was guest lecturer and moderator at The University of Canterbury, Christchurch.

In July/August 2005, Simon traveled throughout Korea with filmmaker Emma Franz to create a documentary exploring the physical and spiritual elements of Korean Shamanic music.

His interest in developing new music with East Asian musicians has also led to collaborations with Drummer/composer Won Il (Seoul, April 02), and improviser Kim Dae Hwan (Seoul 99). In 2003 and 2004 Simon was a guest speaker for the Asialink Leadership program and in 2002 was awarded an Asialink residency grant to engage with musicians and arts agencies in South Korea for three months.

Kimnara records

has two new releases out this month: Matt McMahon – “Paths and Streams”, and Band of Five Names – “Empty Gardens”.

We’re delighted to have Simon Barker as our first percussionist as Artist of the Month.

1. TONY WILLIAMS QUINTET - Village Vanguard NYC 1989

I was very fortunate to hear Tony’s group many times in 1989. During his stint at the Vanguard I was able to sit in the “drummer’s seat” right up next to his high hat every night for a week. Being so close to such an amazing musician had a profound effect on me and I can still clearly remember his enormous sound and incredible power, energy and creativity. A life changing experience that I’ll never forget. During this time I was also able to hear other great stylists including Billy Higgins, Edward Blackwell and…

2. JACK DEJOHNETTE SPECIAL EDITION- Blue Note NYC 1989

Jack Dejohnette has been my favourite drummer since hearing him on a few Keith Jarrett and Ralph Towner records that my parents had when I was a teenager. Seeing his group with Gary Thomas, Greg Osby, Mick Goodrick and Lonnie Plaxico live was a dream come true and I was left blown away by his seemingly endless ideas and energy. I heard this group many times and never understood anything they played but walked away each night inspired and uplifted. Jack is still one of the most daring and creative drummers in the world and a constant source of inspiration.

3. JACKY ORSZAZKY -Harbourside Brassiere Sydney (many times)

Jacky/Hamish Stewart/Arnie Hanna/various other musicians. Hearing Hamish Stewart play is always a moving experience, he’s one of the most diverse and soulful musicians I’ve heard and whenever he plays, the music feels great. I’ve heard Hamish with Jack and Arnie many times and am always knocked out by their unbelievable groove and empathy. Every time I turned up to hear this group I was awestruck with Hamish’s playing, he would use a very simple kit and knock everyone out with the amount of music he could draw from it.

4. JIM BLACK - Jazz Now Festival Opera House 2005

I’ve been a huge fan of Jim’s since hearing him with Ellery Eskelin at the Bimhaus in Amsterdam in 1997. This gig at the Jazz Now Festival was an extraordinary display of virtuosic, thoughtful, powerful improvising from a great musical mind. I was astonished at how he was able to captivate an audience for over an hour with his drumming. Jim is at the forefront of modern music and I feel really lucky to have seen this performance.

5. KIM SEOK CHUL SHAMAN RITUAL PUSAN - South Korea 2006

I’ve been traveling to Korea to study, perform and teach since 1997. In 1998 I came across a recording of a Korean Shaman ritual by musicians on the East coast of Korea (Kim Seok Chul and family). After hearing this astonishing music I decided to dedicate a large part of my life to finding out more about Korea’s magnificent musical history. In 2006, while traveling throughout Korea, I was able to attend what turned out to be Kim Seok Chul’s final ritual. Before the ritual Mr Kim shared some of his thoughts on Korean music and his family’s rich musical history (his family’s involvement in music dates back 600 years) . After eating, the ritual began and continued all night, the music was extraordinary and I feel honoured to have been there.