David first came to Australia from the U.K. at the age of 21, aboard the P&O line ‘Oriana’ as a resident pianist on the ship, and again later on the ‘Canberra’, and finally, as band-leader on the ’Orcades’, before emigrating to Sydney in 1968.
He soon found work as a professional musician and has had many years experience as a recording session keyboard player, composer, arranger and teacher. He has played on hundreds of radio and TV commercials, and recording sessions of all kinds.
Over the years David has travelled widely as musical director for a number of artists including: Lovelace Watkins (U.K. and Las Vegas), Kamahl, John Rowles, Rolf Harris, Julie Anthony, Barry Crocker and many others. He has also been musical director for the following shows: Hot Shoe Shuffle (1997, Brisbane) Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1993 Theatre Royal, Sydney) Have A Go Show (Channel 7, Hanna-Barbera) The Chevron Macleay Theatre Sydney for 2 years including: Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The Mavis McMahon Show with Gordon Chater, and Some Of My Best Friends Aren’t with Ron Frazer.
David is a prolific composer, and has produced music for many iconic TV documentaries including the Jack Absalom’s Australia - a 6 part series, Blood, Sweat and Tears (a 13 part series), The Big Bandicoot (ABC TV), and This Land Australia (a 12 part series) with Ted Egan.
David’s original albums include: Alternate Route, Harbour Crossing, Over The Moon and Smooth Sailing.
He has also released many music library C.D’s for Castle Music (EMI), Universal Music (U.K.) Bruton, Chappell and Adrenalin Sounds (Sydney, Australia). This is used all over the world as background music to TV, documentaries, radio, film and commercials, etc.
Currently David is concentrating more on writing and recording music for flutes with piano accompaniment, in a variety of styles, mainly for students to enjoy. He promotes the music via his website www.davidfennellmusic.com
He has also written two orchestral pieces that are yet to be performed: ‘A Day in the country” and ‘An Urban Landscape”.
