2008 Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation Concert Series

Simon Tedeschi Kevin Hunt May 13 7.30 pm Libby Gardner Hall

Simon Tedeschi

Described by pianist Leslie Howard as one of the finest musicians of his generation worldwide, Simon Tedeschi was named the Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year performing Ginastera’s Piano Concerto No 1 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and first performed a Mozart Piano Concerto at age 9 in the Sydney Opera House. In 1996 he had a private audience with Luciano Pavarotti and performed for him.  That same year he was featured as the hands double in the movie, Shine.

Mr. Tedeschi has won numerous prizes and piano scholarships. In 1994, he entered his first International Piano competition in Italy, where he was voted the “Most Outstanding Performer in all Youth Sections”. In 2002 Simon Tedeschi won the keyboard section of the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London.

Mr. Tedeschi has performed for the Dalai Lama at his fund-raising concert in London in December, 2000. He also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival and St. John’s, Smith Square – performances which moved Larry Adler to comment that “...he is one of the finest Gershwin exponents I have seen...reminds me of the young Rachmaninoff...”.  He also performed that year for the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark.

Mr. Tedeschi has toured the USA, performing in New York, North Carolina and Texas, and Philadelphia.  He has also performed in London, Edinburgh, Wales, Mexico,Taiwan, New Caledonia, Italy and Malta. He has also performed recitals all over Australia, including performances with award winning Jazz pianist Kevin Hunt, and touring with renowned Brazilian Flautist Tadeu Coelho and Cellist Trish O’Brien.
Other jazz performances have also included a trio performance with Vibe/Clarinet/Sax/Flute player Glen Henrich and bass player Dave Pudney, a tour of Australia with Jazz violinist Ian Cooper as well as performances sharing the stage with some of Sydney’s finest Jazz musicians. He performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Roger Woodward and Synergy Percussion Ensemble.

In 2007, Simon was awarded the “Young Jewish Pianist” Award (selected and presented by pianist Misha Dichter). He performed in the Sydney Opera House as part of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) Cultural Event, for major world leaders such as George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe. Simon Tedeschi is the Roving Ambassador for The Australian Children’s Music Foundation. He was recently awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal by the Governor General of Australia.

Mr. Tedeschi signed a recording deal with Sony Music Entertainment Australia under the Sony Classical label, with his debut CD released in May 2000. He was subsequently nominated for a MO Award as Classical Performer of the Year and for an ARIA award – Classical Record of the Year.
Simon Tedeschi has recorded Leroy Anderson’s Piano Concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Mozart Piano Concerto K488 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto and Grieg Piano Concerto with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Richard Bonynge, who commented: “an extraordinary young pianist...I felt a true musical togetherness with Simon – his sensitivity, his passion and his superb technique.”

Born in Sydney in 1981, he studied piano with Neta Maughan from 1990-2000. He has also studied in London with Noretta Conci.  Simon is currently based in the USA.

Kevin Hunt 

Kevin Hunt is a popular and versatile jazz pianist. He has over the last 16 years shared the stage with international artists including: Herb Ellis, Billy Cobham, Joe Williams, Louis Bellson, Buddy DeFranco, Emily Remler, Sheila Jordon, Mark Murphy, Don Radar, and Larry Adler. He has also recorded and performed with most of Sydney’s prominent jazz artists.

Kevin’s passion for the piano began when his father Ellis taught him to play. Kevin then followed in his brothers’ footsteps and played brass instruments in the school band and started playing keyboards in rock bands.

In 1995 he joined the Don Burrows Quintet and toured China and Hong Kong.  He and Don Burrows have frequently toured together, visiting such locales as Central and South America, Mexico, and Nepal.

In 1997 he formed ‘Kevin Hunt’s JS Bach Trio’ that recorded the CD Kevin Hunt Plays JS Bach which was nominated for the Aria award for ‘Best Jazz Release’. In 1999 he was awarded the Mo Award for “Jazz Instrumentalist Performer of the Year’”and in 2003 was nominated for a Mo Award in the “Best Jazz Instrumental Performer” category. His baroque/jazz composition Have Mercy Air and Joy was commissioned and performed by the Marais Project.

He has toured Australia as Larry Adler’s musical director.  He regularly performs concerts of the music of George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, and Leonard Bernstein, and recently has toured with pianist Simon Tedeschi.

In 2005 Mr. Hunt commenced lecturing at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in jazz history, keyboard, ear training and improvisation.