Simon Barker

Dr Simon Barker is a Senior Lecturer in Drum Set and Rhythm Awareness at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. Specializing in transcultural rhythmic practices, he co-leads internationally recognized ensembles including Trace Sphere, Chiri, and Showa 44. His research explores Korean traditional drumming’s influence on Western drumset techniques, culminating in his 2015 book Korea and the Western Drumset: Scattering Rhythms. Barker has performed globally with artists like Jen Shyu and Bae il Dong, blending jazz improvisation with Asian rhythmic traditions. His 2023 works include solo recordings New Strategies for Rhythmic Coiling and collaborative projects at festivals like Jazztopad (Poland).

Educated with mentors Jon Collins (Australia) and Kang Sun il (South Korea), Barker founded Kimnara Records to promote Australian improvisers. His performances span theatre collaborations (King Lear with Sydney Theatre Company) to avant-garde recordings addressing climate change (the Urgency trilogy). Critical acclaim highlights his 'absence of rhythmic clichés' and 'extension of Australian jazz vocabulary'.

Recent grants include the Australia Council’s 2017 Urgency (For Kiribati and the Marshall Islands) project. Barker’s teaching integrates rhythmic theory with live performance, emphasizing cultural exchange. Ongoing projects include solo drum chants and interdisciplinary collaborations with artists such as Mary Rapp and Carl Dewhurst.