Eric Dunan is the former Director of the Jazz Studies
Program at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, a program he established in
2001 and led until April 2024.
Bands led by Eric have performed with Australian
jazz artists such as Sandy Evans, Andrew Robson, and James Greening. Eric also conducts a 200-member Megaband,
which has performed with Fred Wesley, Mucho Mambo, and James Morrison.
Under Eric’s leadership, Wollongong
Conservatorium bands toured the United States, where they won 1st.
2nd, and 4th place awards in the top divisions of the
Reno International Jazz Festival in 2007 and 2012. The Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra has also performed
at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival and toured China and Japan with James Morrison.
After finishing a performance degree at
California State University, Eric worked as a freelance trumpet player in San
Francisco from 1989-2001, performing with numerous jazz, blues, and funk bands. During the 1990’s he toured with Lydia Pense
and Cold Blood, a soul-rock-jazz band. They regularly played legendary San
Francisco clubs such The Fillmore as well as major festivals throughout America, where they shared
billing with such bands as Tower of Power and Credence Clearwater Revival. In
Australia, Eric leads his own Quintet, and has played with John Morrison, Jacki
Cooper, and Fabien Hevia.
Eric Dunan leads his Trio at Ilu Ilu Tapas Bar every Thursday night from 6:30-9pm and his Quintet on the first Sunday of each month at Five Barrel Brewing from 2-5pm.
