Peter O'Mara Trio

Australian jazz guitarist Peter O'Mara began his professional career in Sydney in 1976. Some projects were with Errol Buddle, Miro Bukowsky, Jackie Orszaczky, Michael Bartolomei & Willy Qua. He was awarded the prestigious "Don Banks Memorial Fellowship" for overseas study and was in New York in 1981 going to concerts, jam sessions and having private lessons with John Scofield, Dave Liebman & Attila Zoller. 

O'Mara moved to Munich, Germany in late 1981, establishing himself as one of the most versatile guitarists in Europe. Many concerts and recordings with musicians like Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, Bob Mintzer, Benny Bailey, Johnny Griffin, Ack van Rooyen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, John Taylor, Randy Brecker, Charlie Mariano, Tony Lakatos, Mike Nock, Russell Ferrante, Brian Auger, Anthony Jackson, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, John Marshall, Terri Lyne Carrington, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, NDR Bigband and the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble. He was a   member of renowned jazz rock group "Klaus Doldinger's Passport“ spanning 30 years, touring Europe, Brasil, South Africa, Morocco and New Zealand. 

For his 65th birthday on 09.12.2022 he presented  a big band concert featuring his original compositions and arrangements at the Munich jazz club Unterfahrt. In February 2023 he was invited to perform some of his arrangements with the big band of the Sydney Conservatorium jazz institute. As a teacher he has presented workshops all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and is the author of books published by renowned jazz publishers Advance Music. 

 He is a professor at the University of Music and Theatre in Munich as well as the Bruckner University in Linz, Austria. As a composer and bandleader he has recorded 20 cds to date as well as performing on dozens of recordings as a guest. For his concert in Newcastle on 25th February 2025 he will be joined by jazz legends James Shortland on double bass and Hamish Stuart on drums.

James Shortland is an emerging Australian bassist making waves across the nation. Hailing from Newcastle, he relocated to Sydney to pursue his studies at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music. During his time there, he has had the honour of learning from and performing alongside some of Australia's finest jazz musicians, including Warwick Alder, Andrew Dickeson, John Harkins, Kevin Hunt, Craig Scott, Brendan Clarke, and Judy Bailey.James is passionate about crafting his own music and actively engages in full-time work as a musician throughout Australia. With a unique style he aims to create a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences. As he continues to grow as an artist, James is excited about upcoming projects and collaborations that will further showcase his talent.

There aren’t many styles drummer Hamish Stuart hasn’t mastered, and the list of musicians he’s played with and who are now his fans is even longer. With his first ‘solo’ album ‘Someone Else’s Child’ Hamish Stuart proves he has a gift for composition as well. As Australia’s much-loved and respected ‘rhythm king’, Hamish called upon an extraordinary family of world class musicians to help out with this project including Chris Abrahams, Dave Symes, Ben Hauptmann, the late Jackie Orszaczky, Tina Harrod and Phil Slater among many others. A gorgeous exploration of texture and mood ‘Someone Else’s Child’ is testament to one of Australia’s greatest, and most humble, musical talents.

”Peter O ́Mara ́s trio has the ability to create music of real power and coherence!” 5 Stars! Downbeat Magazine USA

"Peter O ́Mara ́s Group was the highlight of the Wangaratta Jazz Festival 2013!“ The Guardian Australia  

Peter O'Mara - Guitar 

James Shortland - Double Bass 

Hamish Stuart - Drums