Bernie McGann (b.1938?), alto saxophonist, became the first Jazz musician to win the Australia Council $60,000 Don Banks Music Award (1998). His album Playground won an ARIA for best Jazz recording; at the 1997 Chicago Jazz Festival his trio received a standing ovation and his biography has been published. McGann, who was born and lives in Sydney, trained as a fitter and turner, but also worked as a baker, jewellery maker, postman and factory worker at various times. He made his first recording in 1957 and waited 30 years for his debut album.
Updated 2004
