Stephen Magnusson

Stephen Magnusson is now one of Australia’s most accomplished, versatile and distinct musicians with incredible technique and an astoundingly beautiful tone. His hectic schedule shows that he is a delight to work with and someone that has ‘something to say’ in the world of improvised music.

He was given his first ukulele at 3, his first guitar at 6 and began performing at 10 on an electric guitar that he loaned from his schoolteacher. At 13, he started to study under the guidance of Gordon Pendleton at the Box Hill Tafe and discovered the world of improvised music.

In 1986, he studied at the esteemed Victorian College of the Arts. Under the supervision of some of Australia’s finest musicians – Tony Gould, Bob Sedergreen and Mike Doyle – he expanded his practice regime and playing. He joined various bands playing numerous styles and developed an understanding of different methods. But, his main focus remained, to develop and hone the craft of mastering the guitar.

Stephen continued to play and record with proficient and skilful Melbourne based musicians, but decided in 1994 to spend some time playing, travelling and being influenced by other cultures in Europe. During this time in Zurich, he met with his long time collaborator – Argentinean drummer Sergio Beresovsky.

After being appointed on the staff at The Academy of Contemporary Music (Zurich) in 1997, Stephen and Sergio began to perform regularly with Swedish bassist – Bjorn Meyer. In the July of the same year, Australian saxophonist – Julien Wilson travelled to meet and play with the trio. After the first week of playing together, they formed SNAG and produced a self-titled album (released in Australia ‘Hey Guess What’).

Stephen continued to excel, receiving rave reviews throughout Switzerland and Europe, and was in demand as a player and teacher performing across the continent regularly with SNAG and many other ensembles. He was awarded two grants through the Swiss Arts Council POP KREDIT and was nominated for the Swiss Fellowship award in 1999.

After 3 years of living in Zurich, Stephen returned to Melbourne in August 2000. He entered the National Jazz Award at Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, were he tied for First Palace amongst much controversy. At this festival he performed with his trio – The Stephen Magnusson Trio with Sergio and Eugene Ball. This recorded result is captured on the CD ‘Healing Songs’.

2001 saw Stephen head back in Europe, touring throughout Germany and Switzerland. In October, Stephen bought SNAG to Australia for an East Coast tour and appeared at the Wangarratta Jazz Festival.

Returning in 2002, he spent time in the Northern Territory playing music in Aboriginal communities before returning to Melbourne and forming the band ‘Facelifter’.
From 2003 until now, he remains extremely busy playing with various ensembles, namely Assumptions (Julien Wilson and Will Guthrie) and also the Wilson, Magnusson and Grant Trio (again with Julien and also Stephen Grant), building on their musical brotherhood.

Stephen is about to embark on a journey concentrating on writing for his trio MAG (Frank DiSario and Dave Beck) and the latest quartet – Magnet (Carl Pannuzzo, Eugene Ball and Sergio Beresovsky). These projects are being met with much anticipation from critics and listeners living within the international musical community.

A lifetime of formation, an instant of realisation – Magnet is a new collaboration of old friends, music created in a moment that tells the story of 20 years. Magnet gathers kindred spirits from different sides of the world, draws breath from four different but intertwined musical lives, then exhales with one set of lungs, a music of immediate and raw beauty, bristling with humour and brawn, overflowing with grace and ferocious, unbridled beauty.

Guitarist and composer Stephen Magnusson is a musician at the height of his powers. From the precocious virtuoso who dazzled the music world when he crashed onto the scene, to a musician so mature, complete and respected that when people talk of an “Australian sound” of instrumental music, it is Magnusson’s influence – his tone, his touch, his compositional watermark and his deep sensitivity – that they hear.

Magnusson gathers with him some of the most inspiring music makers in this remarkable quartet. Argentinean drummer Sergio Beresovsky is a startling player, an irresistible force, who ignites the music with crackling invention and uninhibited creativity. Vocalist Carl Pannuzzo is primal and beautiful, uncut and angelic, by turns embedded within the ensemble sound and soaring above it with overwhelming emotion. Finally, Eugene Ball’s trumpet is a revelation of poise and ravishing eloquence; his improvising is compositional and adventurous, always impeccable in its wisdom and restraint, and thrilling in its instrumental mastery.

Magnet is a family, a culture, a collective expression of four musicians who have grown together and speak a common language. Magnet is a history of brothers, the virtue of practice, the depth of musicality and the joy of adventure in one moment of sound. As that moment evolves, Magnet’s music – deep, important and beautiful – writes its own story.

MAGNET – left to right – Eugene Ball – trumpet, Sergio Beresovsky – drums, Stephen Magnusson – guitar, Carl Pannuzzo – vocals

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