Thien Pham is currently the Principal Trumpet for the production of The Book of Mormon. Established as a versatile and active figure in the Australian music scene, he performs extensively across jazz, musical theatre, commercial, and classical settings.
A regular figure in the jazz community, Thien was selected for the Australian Art Orchestra mentorship program and featured as a 'Young Artist' in the inaugural Dingo Australian Jazz Journal (2021). He has performed with acclaimed musicians including Andrea Keller, Sam Anning, Mat Jodrell, James Morrison, Scott Tinkler, Michelle Nicolle, Dick Oatts, Wayne Bergeron, and Gordon Goodwin.
He appears regularly with large ensembles including the JazzLab Orchestra, James Morrison Big Band, Jack Earle Big Band, Paris Cat Big Band, B# Big Band, Rising Sun Big Band, and the Andrew Murray Big Band. Beyond big bands, he plays with diverse groups such as LUNSEN, Zodiac (SYD), Horns of Leroy, The Shanghai Pearls, and Jemma Cher. Other highlights include the Australian National Jazz Youth Big Band alongside Grammy Award-winner Remy Le Boeuf, and Cowboy Bebop in Concert at The Plenary. He can also be heard on recordings for Oscar Bruten's The Strzelecki Suite and Minnie Hill's There is Light (ABC Jazz).
Thien’s other work covers a wide spectrum of genres. He is active in the Latin music scene, performing with La Influencia, LA 45, El Bembe, Sazón, Calle Luna, and Son y Fuerza. He has collaborated with artists including Amos Roach, Reuben Kaye, Jack Howard, Jaron Jay, Owelu Dreamhouse, Delsinki, Jacob Fitzgerald, and Isaiah Firebrace. Additionally, he is a member of the Mario Kart Live Band and plays with the Melbourne Trap Orchestra. Through his work with various corporate and wedding bands, Thien has performed at major events including the Moomba Festival, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Australian Open, and for the NBA and AFL.
In professional musical theatre, Thien has performed in pit orchestras for productions including In The Heights (Comedy Theatre), MJ: The Musical (Her Majesty's Theatre), and Sister Act (Regent Theatre). Internationally, he toured China in 2024 with a company of renowned New York Broadway singers.
Thien’s accolades include the Generations in Jazz James Morrison Scholarship, the Monash University Emerging Jazz Performer Prize, and the Outstanding Improviser award at the Victorian All-State Jazz Championship. In the classical realm, he was awarded first prize in both the Fine Music Online Championships (Junior Bb Trumpet) and the Victorian State Solo Ensemble Championships (Junior Concerto), and has competed in the New Zealand National Brass Band Competition. He has served as principal trumpet with the Melbourne Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and performed with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), and Melbourne Opera.
Thien is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science alongside a Diploma of Music at the Melbourne University Conservatorium, and undertook trumpet studies at the Schulich School of Music (McGill University) in 2023. His principal mentors include Owen Morris, Joel Brennan, Rosie Turner, and Eugene Ball. As an educator, he has provided workshops and individual tuition at Wesley College, Trinity College, and Parkville Music School. Thien continues to perform, tour, and record regularly across Australia and internationally.
Photo by Patrick Lefevre