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Bernie McGann

1999
Sage

gelatin silver photograph, selenium toned on paper (42.5 cm x 33.0 cm)

Bernie McGann (b. 1938), alto saxophonist, is widely regarded as one of the most creative jazz musicians in Australia. He founded a trio and a quartet in the early 1970s while working as a suburban postman, playing his first gigs at the Mocambo Club in King Street, Newtown. By the early 1980s the trio was supporting US jazz greats Freddie Hubbard, Lester Bowie and Dave Liebman and McGann was playing and recording with US saxophonist Sonny Stitt. In 1983 McGann received an Australia Council grant to study in New York and a few years later he toured Australia with Dewey Redman. In 1988 the trio played at the famous Ronnie Scott's in London and toured European jazz festivals, while McCann's other outfit, The Last Straw (formed in 1974) also won accolades overseas. McGann won ARIA awards for Best Australian Jazz Record in 1992, 1995 and 1997

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 1999
© Sage

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Sage (age 36 in 1999)

Bernie McGann (age 61 in 1999)

Subject professions

Performing arts

Donated by

Sage (5 portraits)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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