Mark Pradella will pay tribute to Don Burrows’ legacy at the Lounge Jazz Club (Brisbane) this Australia Day Eve.
Named as one of Australia’s national treasures, multi-instrumentalist Don Burrows incredible career has spanned 60 years and seen him play with the best jazz musicians in the world and the best venues including Carnegie Hall.
He received the first gold record for an Australian jazz recording, ‘Just The Beginning’, and instigated the first jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Renowned trumpeter James Morrison was mentored by Burrows from age 16 while Don has toured the world numerous times to great acclaim.
Mark Pradella, also a talented multi-instrumentalist, is keen to do The Don Burrows Tribute Night justice.
Mark has been to masterclasses held by ‘The Father of Australian Jazz’ Don Burrows as well as working closely with his protégé Andy Firth. Mark spent countless hours listening to Don Burrows records and attending his concerts.
“The first jazz concert I ever saw was the Don Burrows Quintet,” Mark says.
“I was 13-years old and I knew then and there that I wanted to work hard and be a jazz musician just like Don. It had hit me like a wave – just hearing him play and how he weaved the tunes to make them his own was just fascinating for me. It was more than jazz, it was music for the soul.”
Mark has performed with some of Australia’s music giants including James Morrison, Tommy Emmanuel, Kate Ceberano and Tina Arena. His professional playing began at the age of 16.
After winning the ABC Young Performer of the Year he was invited to perform at QPAC with shows such as 'Cats', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Cabaret' and 'Pirates Of Penzance'.
After lecturing in colleges and performing arts centres across Queensland and New South Wales, Mark joined the RAAF Air Command Band that performed at the 2000 Olympic Games. He is currently head of woodwind at St Peters Lutheran College music department.
Mark is also a member of the Art Deco Dance Orchestra and the Art Deco Swing Band who perform every Thursday night at the Lounge Jazz Club in Nundah.
