Artists

The Australian Art Orchestra is the brainchild of Paul Grabowsky, one of Australia's most successful musicians. Classically trained Grabowsky had ambitions to become a conductor before becoming absorbed in jazz. He formed the Paul Grabowsky Trio and is regularly commissioned to compose scores. Paul has been named artistic director of the 50th Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts in 2010.

The Australian Art Orchestra - 20 musicians, stylistically divergent; each one a specialist either as an improviser or instrumentalist; each one willing to explore music as notation, improvisation and, above all, expression. An orchestra designed to break down the barriers between jazz and classical music, between improvised and composed music, even those between western and non-western music, for the benefit of listeners and practitioners alike. Fifteen years on and the AAO is now recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a bold leader, a pioneer in its field; playing a vitally important role in developing music that is truly contemporary, and identifiably Australian in its character.