Preparations are well under way for the May 2023 Generations in Jazz event with the announcement of the new Music Director.  

Dr Jordan Murray, a highly accomplished trombonist, has had more than 25 years teaching experience in tuition, classroom and ensemble instruction and as a professional musician.

As a full-time staff member at Monash University, he was instrumental in the delivery of programs of solo performance, composition, arranging, orchestration, music theory, jazz history, small and large ensemble performance and has played a key role in the development of the course structure as Education Coordinator.  

Dr Murray is passionate about music education and assisting those who seek to fulfil their musical goals. 

“I am delighted to be appointed Music Director of this world class student music event,” Dr Murray said.

“Being involved in bringing alive this weekend of jazz for the thousands of students that will experience Mount Gambier really is a career highlight for me.”

Dr Murray has performed throughout the world with international artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Frankie Valley, Michael Bublé, Kylie Minogue, Hans Zimmer and Joss Stone and performed with international singer Robbie Williams at the AFL grand final on Saturday.

He is very proud to have been invited to work on indigenous projects such as The Black Arm Band featuring Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Kucha Edwards, Mark Atkins, William Barton and Paul Kelly.  

With set pieces being released in the coming weeks, students across Australia will be busy back rehearsing. 

“I cannot wait to see what the students do with our compositions this year,” Dr Murray said.

“We are already counting down the days until performances start.” 

GIJ chair Tony Wright said organisers were excited that Dr Murray had decided to take on the role. 

“Having someone with the skills and experience like Jordan as our Music Director, we know that GIJ will continue to be the fantastic event that we have all come to know and love,” he said.

“We know our students are in for a huge event in May next year and we cannot wait to see and hear what Jordan has planned for us all.”