Craig Newman is one of the most sought-after session musicians in Australia and has been for some time. His talents on the bass and his professional manner have led to work with high profile bands (both recording and live), stage musicals, television, corporate gigs and much more. His skills have taken him all over the world.
Australian bass great Craig Newman was kind enough to invite Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips into his home studio recently to chat about his wonderful career in music as our Musician of the Month for April 2025. Photos and video assistance by Jason Rosewarne.
MORE ABOUT CRAIG NEWMAN
Spurred on a by a decent music programme at school, Craig Newman began his musical journey on trumpet at the age of 12. However, by the time he reached 15 years old, he had developed a considerable interest for the bass guitar, with his ears always being drawn to the rhythm section of the school big band. This resulted in three years classical double bass studies with renowned teacher, Marijan Bryshna and further tuition with Bob Arrowsmith, Jeremy Alsop and Graham Lyall. Craig graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1988 with a diploma in jazz studies.
Since then, his talent and dedication have taken him in many different directions. Apart from live performances and international touring, he can be heard on many artists’ recordings, television, commercials and in theatre.
In 1991, Craig toured the UK, Japan and Australia with Kylie Minogue. In 1994 the Roland Corporation invited him to tour Bangkok and Vietnam as a Roland clinician, which has resulted in a continuing association with further clinics in 1995 and 1996 to Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. In 1995 Craig toured the UK and Australia again, this time with the Seekers.
Australian bands in the sphere of live performance have included Graham Lyall’s show band, WJAZ, Venice Beach and Wilbur Wilde’s Blow Out and artists including Peter Cupples, Mick Pealing, Steven Cummings, Danielle Gaha, Yo Yo, Tommy Emmanuel, Patrick Mcmahon, Marie Wilson, Donna Fisk, Renee Geyer, Colleen Hewitt, Chris Wilson, Bachelor Girl, The Eurogliders, Adoration, Billy Thorpe, David Atkins “Dancing Man”, “Sweet Charity the musical”, “Mamma Mia”, Sister Act” and this year “Beetlejuice”.
Craig was the resident bass player for “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” giving him the opportunity to back many Internationals including Tom Jones, Jackson Browne, Thelma Houston, Barry Manilow, Martin Taylor, Roger Daltry, Ernie Watts, Trisha Yearwood, Joe Cocker, James Morrison, Keb Mo, Errol Brown, Venetta Fields and Eric Burdon. He can also be seen frequently on “Good Morning Australia” and in the past has appeared in the “New Faces” resident band, ABC’s “Jazz is Now” and the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 Logies and The Main Event featuring Olivia Newton John, John Farnham and Anthony Warlow.
Craig also performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and in June this year was invited to play electric bass for the world premier of new works by German composer, Koncheli, conducted by Marcus Stenz. Craig also plays with the Victorian State Orchestra and this year participated in two musicals – “Bye Bye Birdie” and “They’re Playing Our Song”.
Recording projects include Venice Beach’s “Chainsaw Fantasy”, Penny Dyer’s “Open your eyes you can fly” and “Adieu Miro”, fusion bands “Logic” and the “Simon Patterson Trio”, and the Myer Christmas albums of 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Craig is an endorsee for both SWR and Warwick basses, bass amplification and D’Addario strings.
He also offers private bass tuition as well as an ongoing teaching association with Billy Hydes Drum Clinic, Victorian College of the Arts, Boxhill and Collingwood TAFE Colleges.
Other tours include Jerry Lewis, Petula Clark and the British Rock Symphony featuring Eric Burdon, Thelma Houston and Glen Shorrock. Craig became the permanent bass player with John Farnham and last played with him on The Last Time tour Nov 2002 – July 2003.
Coming up for Craig in 2025 is work on “Beetlejuice” the musical and Russell Morris’ orchestral tour, among many other things.
