Stephen Magnusson

Stephen John Magnusson (born 13 February 1969) is an Australian guitarist. He is known for his work as an improviser and has worked with the Australian Art Orchestra, and Elixir and Katie Noonan, Charlie Haden, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ricki Lee Jones, Sinéad O'Connor, John Cale, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Paul Grabowsky, Vince Jones, Christine Sullivan, Megan Washington, Paul Kelly, Mike Nock, Barney McAll, Enrico Rava and Arthur Blythe among others. Outstanding Musician Award.

Career 1969-1990: Early years Magnusson began playing musical instruments at age three when he was given a ukulele. At age six he had his first guitar and began performing at the age of ten on an electric guitar that he borrowed from a school teacher. He started to formally study improvisation under Gordon Pendelton at Box Hill TAFE in 1985.

In 1986, Magnusson began his formal training at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts. Here, he worked under the supervision of musicians, Tony Gould, Bob Sedergreen and Paul Grabowsky.

Magnusson was also influenced by the linear playing of George Benson and Wes Montgomery, but also fascinated by Andy Summers of the Police who Magnusson says "..played these beautiful colours that didn't sound like pop music at the time… I just loved exploring that principle."

In 1999, Magnusson was nominated for the Swiss Fellowship award.

In 2001, Magnusson returned to Europe, touring throughout Germany and Switzerland. In October, Magnusson brought SNAG to Australia for an East Coast tour and again appeared at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival.

In 2007, Magnusson released 14 Little Creatures on ABC Music, with The Weekend Australian giving it 4 out of 5 saying "These 14 creatures are highly individual solo guitar performances, ten of which were composed by... Stephen Magnusson. Listening to this album is like having Magnusson in your lounge room to play an intimate, unique solo concert on acoustic guitar."

Magnusson has had three compositions added to The Australian Jazz Real Book and in 2013 the Melbourne Prize Trust awarded Magnusson the Outstanding Musician Award.

Magnusson has had three compositions added to The Australian Jazz Real Book and in 2013 the Melbourne Prize Trust awarded Magnusson the Outstanding Musician Award.

In November 2015, a second Magnet album was released, featuring Magnusson on guitars, Beresovsky on drum, Ball on trumpet, Carl Pannuzzo on voice and DiSario on acoustic bass guitar.

As of 2020, Magnusson is writing for his duo Boundaries (with Frank DiSario) and trio MAGnet (featuring DiSario and Dave Beck).

Discography Albums Title Album details Healing Songs Released: February 2002 Label: Newmarket Music (NEW3132.2) Format: CD Departures / Assumptions Released: 28 February 2003 Label: Newmarket Music Format: CD, DD Also known as Departures by Assumptions. Label: ABC Jazz (4765977) Format: CD, DD Deflection Released: 29 December 2008 Label: Vorticity Music Format: CD, DD Kaleidoscopic Released: 4 July 2009 Label: Jazzhead (HEAD113) Format: CD, DD Inflection Released: 6 July 2012 Label: Ren Walters and Stephen Magnusson Format: DD Magnet Released: 22 October 2012 Label: Sam Evans Format: DD SOM Released: 15 November 2015 Label: Newmarket Music (NEW3359.2) Format: CD, DD Endure Released: 18 June 2020 Format: Streaming, DD Recorded at Adria Studios Melbourne during lockdown

Awards and nominations Australian Jazz Bell Awards The Australian Jazz Bell Awards, (also known as the Bell Awards or The Bells), are annual music awards for the jazz music genre in Australia. They commenced in 2003. 2008 "14 Little Creatures" Australian Jazz Composition of the Year 2013 Magnet by Magnet Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album

Melbourne Prize Trust The Melbourne Prize Trust grants awards on a rolling three-year basis for Urban Sculpture, Literature and Music and commenced in 2005. 2000 Stephen Magnusson National Jazz Award

National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016. National Live Music Awards of 2019 Stephen Magnusson Live Jazz Act of the Year