From the SIMA newsletter – VALE ~ JOHN POCHÉE OAM(1940 – 2022)"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!"It is with great sadness that we honor the remarkable life of Australian jazz drummer bandleader, John Pochée OAM. John made a huge contribution to Australian music through-out his long and celebrated career, touring Australian music across the globe with our greatest jazz artists. A self-taught drummer, John was unique in playing left-handed on a right-handed drum kit.He played, recorded and toured internationally with The Last Straw, The Judy Bailey Quartet, The Engine Room, Ten Part Invention and Bernie McGann's ensembles. John was a five-time Aria Award winner and five-time MO' Award winner. He took out the best band at the Leningrad Jazz Festival in Russia where he toured twice with The Engine Room and The Last Straw. He was the only Australian Musician to be invited to The Chicago Jazz Festival where he performed alongside global jazz giants over two epic festivals. He played for Royalty in Bangkok with Ten Part Invention before taking it to the U.S.A and showcasing Australian composition with performces throughout Canada, Asia, Europe and New Zealand. .John received the Graeme Bell Hall of Fame's Career Achievement Award 2006. In 2014, John was awarded an O.A.M for his contribution to the Arts as a Jazz Musician and in 2017 was awarded the APRA/AMCOS Award for "Distinguished Services to Australian Music in 2017 Committed to serving the community, John was a member of the inaugural Jazz Action Society committee (1974 -1976). He spent 15 years on the Jazz Co-ordination Association of NSW and served on the Australia Council in Australia's bicentennial year 1988 and in 2007 was elected President of the Professional Musicians' Club after serving as a director since 1986.John served on the SIMA Committee for 20 years.We thank him for his music, vision, humour and contribution. Our love and thoughts go out to Shirley, and all of John's family and friends. He will be missed dearly. ?#jazz #australianjazz #australianjazzmuseum #sydneyjazz #johnpochee #RIP #culture #art #history #vale #jazzdrums
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