At 27 years of age, Sam Anning is one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming Jazz musicians. After graduating from WAAPA completing a Bachelor of Jazz (Performance), Sam went on to study and perform in New York City, the U.K., and Europe, where he also developed and broadened his compositional and performance style. He received the Toyota Scholarship for Jazz (2001), and was a finalist in the James Morrison Scholarship twice. He was also a finalist in the Freedman Fellowship 2006, nominated for a Bell Award 2007, was a finalist in the Melbourne Prize for Music 2007, received 3rd place in the 2008 National Jazz Awards, and received the 2008 Bell Award for Young Jazz Musician of the Year.

Sam has performed with a large number of national and international artists including: Andy Milne, Bernie McGann, Paul Grabowsky, Tony Gould, Allan Browne, Diana Doherty, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Nock, Goldner String Quartet, Graeme Lyall, Sheila Jordan, Chris Cheek, Darren Sigesmund, George Garzone, Will Vinson, Katie Noonan, James Morrison, Don Burrows, Terrell Stafford, Graham Collier, Jamie Oehlers, Scott Tinkler, Barney McAll, Bobby Shew, Greg Osby, Dale Barlow, George Coleman Jr, Ingrid Jensen and Carl Orr.

He has been featured as an accompanist and soloist on a number of recordings including, ‘Treat Me Gently’- Dale Barlow, George Coleman Jr, Mark Fitzgibbon, Sam Anning (Jazzhead), ‘Stand and Flow’- Grant Windsor Trio (Newmarket Music), ‘Blues In The Night’- Mat Jodrell (Morrison Records), ‘Duende’- Joe Chindamo (Jazzhead), ‘The Spanish Tinge’- Ben Winkelman Trio (Jazzhead), ‘Ten Healing Songs- Hush Vol. 7’- Paul Grabowsky (Hush), and ‘Love, Blues and other Fiction’ - Joe Chindamo/Graeme Lyall AM (Newmarket Music).

The Sam Anning Quintet, Quartet, and Trio play original compositions by Sam, and interprets and improvises on music from a diversity of styles. Some of Sam’s compositions can be heard on the recordings, ‘Glyn MacDonald’- Glyn MacDonald Trio (Independent), ‘Jazzaziz’- Compilation of W.A artists (Independent), and also on tracks recorded for ABC Radio with ‘Speedball’. These compositions have received extensive national radio play. Two of Sam's compositions Hone Heke and La Rambla were finalists in the 2005 WAM Song of the Year.

Sam continues to develop his compositional style and technical proficiency on the double bass. There is a high demand, nationally and internationally for Sam’s talents. He is increasingly becoming one of Western Australia’s, and indeed one of Australia’s most sought after jazz musicians.

“…No other bassist in Australia swings like Sam. He has technique to burn, a beautiful sonorous sound, and great ears. I predict that he will carve out a name for himself as one of Australia’s most important musicians.”    -Joe Chindamo

‘RE-TURNING POINT’ is the exciting debut album from the SAM ANNING QUINTET.

The quintet features the vanguard of young Australian jazz musicians, Mat Jodrell (trumpet/flugel horn), Carl Mackey (saxophones), Graham Wood (piano), and Daniel Susnjar (drums).

The album also features special guests Graeme Lyall AM (alto saxophone) and cello quartet ‘WOOD’.

The album consists of original compositions by Sam that draw on his experiences of travel in New York, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Also featured is a piece by Tom Waits and a piece by Chris Cheek, arranged by Sam, for Graeme Lyall and ‘WOOD’.

‘RE-TURNING POINT’ represents a reflection of Sam’s experiences from recent international travel and personal musical explorations. This album is also a turning point in his career, as he looks towards a future with new musical directions and broader artistic horizons.

Click on the tracks below to hear samples from ‘RE-TURNING POINT’.

1 Re-Turning Point

2 Time Travels

3 Tomorrow is a New Day

4 Granada

5 One Day, Without You

6 Hone Heke (2005 WAM Song of the Year Finalist)

7 La Rambla (2005 WAM Song of the Year Finalist)

8 Vision Beyond Vision

9 Sachsenhausen

10 Johnsberg Illinois