Nick Parnell is Australia’s most exciting concert percussionist (ABC 24 Hrs Magazine). A leader of the new generation of performers, Nick breaks traditional classical music boundaries by performing works by Bach and Chopin on percussion. An ABC Classics recording artist and Winner of the 2001 International Melbourne Percussion Competition, his explosive energy and precision on instruments including marimba, vibraphone, drums, gongs and cymbals, have fascinated and enchanted audiences throughout Australia, Asia and the UK.

In 2008, Nick recorded one of the world’s first solo classical vibraphone albums of its kind. This was followed by an extensive tour throughout Australia, the longest of any solo percussionist in the country. Critics described his playing as virtuosity worthy of the highest praise (The West Australian), and Dazzling Dexterity… balanced with supreme delicacy (The Advertiser). He performed in many prestigious venues including Sydney’s City Recital Hall, Adelaide Town Hall, Perth’s Government House and Melbourne’s Melba Hall.

Born in the small South Australian country town of Orroroo, Nick began teaching himself the drums at the age of ten. He attended Westminster School from year eight to twelve where he received formal tuition. He completed a Bachelor of Music, Honours and Masters degrees in Percussion Performance under teacher Jim Bailey at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, where he is currently studying for his PHD. In 2004 he was named the most outstanding graduate of the Elder Conservatorium. Nick has consistently won awards for his outstanding musicianship. These include:

• • First Place-International Melbourne Percussion Competition-2001
  • First Place-Australian Percussion Eisteddfods-2002 & 2003
  • First Place-Elder Conservatorium Concerto Competition-1999
  • First Place-Adelaide Eisteddfod-1997
  • Finalist-Australian Young Performers Award-1999 & 2001
  • Finalist-Australia Young Citizen of the Year (Arts Category)-2001 & 2002
  • Prize Winner-Elder Conservatorium Classical Music Awards-1999
  • Centenary of Federation Medal -2003
  • Recipient of Arts SA Grant-2004 & 2008
  • Recipient of University of Adelaide Masters Sholarship-2001 & 2002
  • Recipient of University of Adelaide PhD Scholarship-2006 to 2009
  

Nick has studied and attended master classes with many of the world’s top musicians, including Evelyn Glennie (Scotland), Gary Burton (USA), Bill Molenhof (USA/Germany), Neil Percy from London Symphony Orchestra (UK) and Uffe Savery from the famous Safri Duo (Denmark). He has studied Gamelan music in Yogyakarta, the cultural centre of Indonesia and is regularly involved in percussion festivals in Australia and overseas.

Nick has worked with distinguished American composer, conductor and educator Gunter Schuller and with Canada’s internationally acclaimed contemporary music conductor Lorraine Vaillancourt. He has performed with artists including concert pianist David Helfgott (from the movie Shine), shakuhachi grand master Riley Lee (TaikOz), didgeridoo virtuoso Mark Atkins (Led Zepplin/Philip Glass) and international marimba soloist, Bogdan Bacanu (Austria)

Nick has given numerous Australian premieres of new compositions, such as Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür’s percussion concerto, Magma. This was performed in 2003 with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Olari Elts. He was also featured soloist in the ASO’s 2006 Edge series, performing orchestral versions of rock songs.

Nick has performed with ensembles including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Australian String Quartet, Adelaide Art Orchestra, English National Ballet, Russian Ballet Company, contemporary music groups Lights and The Stellar Collective.

Festivals include the Adelaide and Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, International Canberra Chamber Music Festival, International Barossa Music Festival, Bundaleer Forest Festival, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, Musica Viva Ménage, Alice Dessert Festival, Woodend Winter Arts Festival and Australia's first International Percussive Arts Society Festival. He has given numerous performances for ABC Classic FM’s National Sunday Live programs and has made several television appearances. His debut CD Generally Spoken It’s Nothing But Rhythm, featured much of the well known solo percussion repertoire. This album was followed by Classical Vibes featuring music by Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Gershwin for vibraphone and piano. Nick is an ABC Classics recording Artist. (www.nickparnell.com)

Bach to Brazil now playing – see concerts page for performance dates

Bach to Brazil

“Parnell wields the mallets with the nonchalance of mastery ... virtuosity worth of the highest praise.” – The West Australian

Performer Nick Parnell explodes the stage with melodic percussive interpretations of classic works; Bach to Brazil is an exotic display of rhythm and colour; an unforgettable musical journey.

This award-winning percussionist is one man with 50 instruments in a high energy performance of festive Brazilian rhythms, pulsating ethnic drums, soaring Bach and Gershwin melodies.

Audience members will be entranced by tuned wine glasses, bamboo chimes, ethnic drums, woodblocks, piano and vibraphone, as they all get a serious work out.