Tim Neal

Biography

Tim Neal began playing the Hammond organ in 1991 after returning from an overseas tour. He sold his beloved Volkswagen to purchase an X-5 and leslie and began gigging with it. It was from here that he discovered the music of Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, Larry Young and the likes. Tim fell in love with the infectious sound of the B3 and joined up with Australian sax great Paul Williamson to form a band that has released 4 CD’s and gained a national reputation. Combined with other projects Tim has travelled the country playing at most festivals including Wangarratta, Melbourne International Festival etc. One of Tim’s career highlights was playing with Jimmy Smiths rhythm section in Melbourne where Jimmy used Tim’s B3, signed it and gave him a lesson after his show!

Tim has performed as part of the Paul Williamson Hammond Combo for the past 20 years at one of Melbourne's longest Jazz residencies in Fitzroy "The Rainbow Hotel" and in a number of other bands including The Swingin' Sidewalks, The Feelin' Groovies, Festa and Banana Oil as well as his own Tim Neal Big Organ Band and The Tim Neal Trio.

Tim has toured extensively and played at many festivals, both in Australia and overseas and has shared stages and studios with many Australian and International acts including, Mavis Staples, Ricky Lee Jones, Dr. John, Ernest Ranglin, Joss Stone, Betty Harris, Bunny Ruggs, Duke Robillard, Jody Williams, Jimmy Smith, Gil Askey, Billy Boy Arnold, Lucky Oceans, Big Jay McNeely, Randy Crawford, Lucky Peterson, Mickey Tucker, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Shane Howard, Chris Wilson, Ross Wilson, Ross Hannaford, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bobby Previte, James Taylor, Renee Geyer, Wendy Saddington, Jeff Lang, Fiona Boyes, Geoff Achison, Guy Pearce, Nichaud Fitzgibbon Yo Yo, Cattletruck, The Swinging Sidewalks, Melbourne Improvisation Association, BOITE Millinium Chorus, Kate Ceberano, Kerrie Simpson, Pearly Shells, Festa, Renee Geyer, Jim Kelly, Anne McCue, The Black Armed Band, Steve Magnusson, Julien Wilson, Mick Thomas, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio just to name a few.

Selected Discography

Red Hot Go Paul Williamson Hammond Combo New Market Music 1993

Daze - HEADER - On High St Bark, Bark 1996 King Without A Clue Mushroom Records 1997

Ears For Civil Engines, Javabubbaboogaloo Jazzhead 1997

Real Australian Blues - Vol 3 1997

Over the Rainbow Paul Williamson Hammond Combo New Market Music 1999

Festa Wide Jazzhead 2000

Here Comes The Night Augie March - Sunset Studies BMG Music (Australia) 2000

Get Happy Paul Williamson Hammond Combo New Market Music 2001

Walking After Midnight Deborah Conway. The Songs Of Patsy Cline Another Intercorps Production 2001

One Eyed Man Mushroom Records 2001

Wait Another Day Amity Dry - The Light House Universal Music Australia 2003

Wandering Song Various - The Coffee Lounge: Cappucino - Music To Watch The Days Go By EQ Music 2003

Month of Mondays Paul Williamson Hammond Combo New Market Music 2004

Super Sweet Corn 2004

Sometimes (as Tim Neil) John Butler Trio, The - Sunrise Over Sea Jarrah Records 2004

Deep in the Night Nichaud Fitzgibbon 2005

The Unconscious Brothers Unconconscious Brothers 2006

Tim Neal Live at Bernies 2010

Archie Roach into the Bloodstream 2013

I invited Festa to play on Jazzhead‚ first compilation - Ears For Civil Engines - a bunch of young lions with something new to offer. I found Julien Wilson had a melodic sense and technique that could hold its own anywhere in the world. Tim Neal is in the same place. If you are into horn players that don't play the same patterns over and over, and interested in a contemporary landscape with all the weight that this music needs, then turn yourself onto Festa. - Joe Camilleri

Melbourne’s biting world jazz outfit, Festa, release their second exciting & startling musical masterpiece, ‘WIDE’. Festa was formed in 1994 by two of Australia’s hottest musicians, Julien Wilson and Tim Neal. In 1996, joined by Andy Swann on drums and the sensational Stephen Magnusson on guitar (Joint Winner of National Jazz Award 2000 - Guitar), Festa released their self-titled debut CD. Gigs at Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and The Apollo Bay Jazz Festival led to praise from the media. ‘One of Melbourne’s more feisty jazz-aligned units...spine tingling ensemble bravado.’ - Kenny Weir, Sunday Herald Sun.

Banana Oil won an Apra award in 1998 for their album Guava Lampo and the Paul Williamsons Hammond Combo was nominated for Apra award in 2001 for their album Live at the Espy.

Television and Film: Soundtrack for Bedazzled starring Elizabeth Hurley in 2000.(Banana Oil - this is my family. ) Soundtrack for Breathe In- Drake Doremus Film - Unconscious Brothers - Crab & the Crow 2013.

Television accompanying performances include performances on: Daryl Somers Show, Hey,Hey It’s Saturday, The Big Gig, Tonight Live , The Late Show, Good Morning Australia, Sounds, Burt Newton show, The Studio, ABC Jazz documentary The Pulse....