Simon Sweeney

Simon Sweeney is professional trumpet player, composer and educator based in Sydney. Simon holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of music and a Diploma of Law from the Legal Professional Admissions Board. 

Simon is a studio musician and has been prolific in the live music scene since 1993. He has appeared as guest Principal trumpet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Film recording credits include Happy Feet, The Great Gatsby, The Extra, Hotel Transylvania 2, and The Bank.

Simon has played on over 50 professional musical theatre productions since the mid 90s. He has played lead trumpet for Michael Bublé, George Benson, Paloma Faith and Tim Minchin. As a jazz musician he has toured and recorded with Mike Nock, Dave Panichi, played with John Pochee’s Space Cadets, recorded with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra (of which he was a founding member and co-produced the first album “plays the music of Mike Nock”) and he is currently co-lead trumpet of the Australian National Jazz Orchestra.

Simon has performed live with Silverchair, Thirsty Merc, Barry Gibb, Sarah Blasko and recorded with Powderfinger, Billy Thorpe and the Wu Tang Klan. His lead playing can be heard on the Netflix series’ Beat Bugs and Motown Magic as well as Netflix’s animated series “Maya” (2021). Simon’s own small group jazz album “Emerald City Blues” was released on the Jazzgroove label in 2003 featuring Craig Scott, Greg Coffin, Craig Simon, Roger Manins, Dave Panichi and Richard Maegraith.  He has recorded hundreds of jingles for use in the Australian market and overseas. 

Simon Studied trumpet under Steve Williams (The Forest High School), Dick Montz, John Hoffman and Charlie Davis. 

As an educator Simon has directed school stage bands for over 30 years from primary school to tertiary level. He is currently director of Jazz bands at Moriah College, Musical Director of The Arts Unit Jazz Orchestra and director of the Leichhardt Public School Big Band. He has been on the Jazz Faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of music for 13 years where he directs Con Jazz Orchestra 2 (of 4). He has appeared as a clinician for ABODA NSW and has presented a clinic at ANBOC in early July 2024. Many of Simon’s trumpet students can be heard playing professionally around Sydney and some have gone on to play Principal in the Australian Youth Orchestra and have been accepted into Masters programs at Juilliard.