Adrian Cunningham has already established himself as one of this Australia's finest jazz musicians and multi-instrumentalists, with countless club and festival appearances plus a number of highly acclaimed albums. Having been been based in NYC since 2008, Adrian has been playing regularly in the Big Apple, throughout USA and Europe. In 3 short years he has appeared some of NYC's finest clubs- Smalls, Birdland, 55 Bar, Fat Cat, the Apollo Theater, Dizzy's (Lincoln Centre) and even a private event at the hallowed Village Vanguard; with such luminaries as Lew Soloff, Wycliffe Gordon, George Coleman Jr and Bucky Pizzarelli.
Originally starting his musical career on piano at the age of 16, Adrian is better know for his ability to swap seamlessly between alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet and flute. As well as playing all over the country with his own band (The Adrian Cunningham Quartet), Adrian has also risen to be one of the most in demand freelance musicians in the country having played with numerous ensembles and celebrity artists from across the musical spectrum.
Adrian’s obvious musical talent is also prominent in his song writing. His ability to paint a picture or capture the energy of a moment with his melody writing is one that isn’t found very often. As well as playing standards, Adrian is featuring increasingly more of his own beautifully crafted original works and is gaining well deserved recognition. His songs have twice been featured on the In Flight program on Qantas domestic and international flights as well as gaining significant air play on radio stations around the country.
Adrian's commercial work involves extensive television appearances including the house band for Australian Idol (ch10), The Big Night In with John Foreman (ch10), The Sideshow (ABC), Adrian's roaring tenor sax can be heard weekly on Good News Week (ch10). Adrian's clairinet was also featured with Swing City on Mornings with Kerry Anne. The Video page on this website has links to the above performances.
Adrian has toured extensively with his own quartet. The Adrian Cunningham Quartet has released two studio albums and a live album and DVD. Overseas Adrian has appeared twice at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and toured Europe as well as Asia. In fact, Adrian has preformed on every continent on Earth (aside from Antarcitca!)
In 2005 Adrian was nominated for two MO awards: Jazz Instrumentalist of the year and Best Jazz Group. He has also been a member of two prominent jazz groups: the famous Galapagos Duck and the Sydney All Star Big Band.
The start of 2008 saw the launch of a CD, teaming up with fellow Sydney woodwind specialist Graham Jesse for an album of contemporary jazz duets with jazz trio.
A couple of months later and Adrian was packing his bags for his next adventure – the big apple. His farewell concert went down in spectacular fashion with a sold out concert at the Basement in Sydney.
As a player on countless recordings, Adrian has recorded/performed with:
USA
Chris Potter
Wycliffe Gordon
Bucky Pizzarelli
Jerry Lewis
Herlin Riley
Nate Smith
Adam Rogers
Reginald Veal
Debbie Reynolds
Bob Mintzer
Lew Soloff
Sweet Georgia Brown
Barbara Morrison
Seleno Clarke
AUSTRALIA
Powderfinger
The Cat Empire
Leo Sayer
(Johnny) Diesel
James Morrison
Don Burrows
Colin Hay (Men at Work)
Galapagos Duck
Ian Moss
Guy Sabastian
Tom Burlinson
George Coleman Jr.
Tim Freedman (Whitlams)
Cleo Lane & John Dankworth
Doug Parkinson
Paul McDermott
John Foreman
Swing City
Rhonda Burchmore
Monica and the Moochers
Marcia Hines
Caroline O'Connor
Sydney all Star Big Band
Anthony Warlow
Grace Knight
Daryl Somers
Jeff Duff
Australian Idol Band
