‘Eclectic trajectory’
Tim Rollinson is a guitarist and composer who is best known as a founder member of Dig (Directions in Groove). He has also played with a range of other artists such as The Greasy Chicken Orchestra, Clayton Doley and the Flashy Dashbacks, Vince Jones, The Black-Eyed Susans, Louis Tillett, The Young Northside Big Band, The Todd Hardy Swing Orchestra, The 10 Guitar Project, Jurassic Bark.
Tim has written and released seven albums: Cause + Effect (1998), You Tunes(2010), Nitty Gritty (2016), Old New Blues (2019), Undertones (2022), Lost and Found (2024), Chiromancy (2024)
Tim's playing career has been described as an ‘eclectic trajectory’, including jazz, indie rock, funk, soul and free improvisation.
In 2011 Tim was voted 12th best in a readers poll held by ‘Australian Guitarist’ magazine.
‘With his experience in rock and in the more avant reaches of jazz (as well as the mainstream) Rollinson has many distortion and colouristic effects at his disposal. He can play hard and gritty as well as lyrically’
John Clare
'Drawing on material from the impressive You Tunes album, they moved between brooding ambience, fairly straight-ahead jazz, extended journeys and howling climaxes...one of the best guitar sounds in Australian jazz'
John Shand Sydney Morning Herald
‘Guitarist Tim Rollinson proves himself to be a thorough modernist, taking bits and pieces from the styles of Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Jerry Garcia, and a lot of others, then synthesizing them into an expansive and easy-going approach that’s pretty much a pleasure to listen to.’
Stuart Kremsky Cadence Magazine (USA)
Longer Bio
Tim Rollinson is an Australian guitarist, composer and bandleader best known as a founding member of the ARIA Award–winning acid‑jazz group Dig (Directions in Groove). With a career spanning more than three decades, he has developed a distinctive voice on the guitar, blending jazz harmony with funk, soul, ambient and improvised music. His playing is marked by lyrical phrasing, rich chordal textures and a deep sense of groove, making him a sought‑after collaborator across genres.
As a core member of Dig, Rollinson helped shape the sound of Australian jazz‑fusion/funk in the 1990s and beyond, recording and touring nationally and internationally. The band’s releases became landmark recordings in the local scene, introducing broader audiences to a sophisticated yet accessible blend of jazz, hip‑hop and dance music. His guitar work is central to the group’s sound, providing both harmonic architecture and melodic focus.
Beyond his work with Dig, Rollinson has led and contributed to a wide range of projects, including original ensembles and collaborative recordings. He continues to compose, record and perform new material, exploring open forms, subtle electronics and atmospheric textures while remaining grounded in strong melodic ideas. His output reflects a commitment to developing an Australian voice in contemporary jazz and improvised music.
Rollinson has appeared at major festivals, clubs and venues across Australia and overseas, and has worked with many of the country’s leading jazz and contemporary artists. In addition to his performance and recording career, he is an engaged mentor and educator, sharing his experience with emerging musicians through workshops, ensemble coaching and private teaching.
Rollinson brings a track record of artistic excellence, collaboration and innovation. His ongoing work continues to bridge the gaps between jazz, groove‑based music and ambient exploration, offering audiences sophisticated, emotionally resonant and forward‑looking musical experiences.