“Jazz and bluegrass are in my blood. Daddy raised me on big band and my auntie was a bluegrass gospel singer”

Originally from Virginia, USA, vocalist Dianne Cripps obtained her music degree from George Mason University, USA and studied with Australian jazz luminaries Judy Bailey and Michelle Nicolle. She has performed around the world in both classical and jazz genres.

“Dianne Cripps is something of a dynamo!” – Australian Jazz Net

Like a hug and a peck, and a squeeze around the neck SOUTHERN COMFORT is an eclectic mix of jazz standards, blues, originals, and reimagined folk and bluegrass tunes accompanied by captivating stories about life as a daughter of Appalachia.

“My kin are from a wee tiny town called Pound in Virginia near Loretta Lynn, The Carter Family fold and such.  Like in the movie Footloose, they are the real town that banned dancing. They also still make their own moonshine in a secret location out in the woods.”

Dianne Cripps (vocals), Nick Southcott (piano), Elsen Price (double bass) and Ed Rodrigues (drums). Truly spellbinding!

Who: Dianne Cripps

What: Southern Comfort

When: 3rd December 2020

Where: Foundry 616

To Find Out More & To Book Online Click Here

ABOUT THE BAND

Nick Southcott is an accomplished pianist, composer, and musical director. Notable live and recorded projects include Sydney based Cuban Big Band Mucho Mambo, Masha’s Legacy, JigZag and original jazz ensemble Trioflight. Nick was the Musical Director of “High Standards” (2019), a concert at City Recital Hall featuring some of Australia’s best-known artists including Kate Cebrano, Emma Pask, David Campbell, and iOta.

Elsen Price is an Australian Double Bassist with career highlights including a Silver Award for ‘Best Soundtrack’ of Australian Film ‘Dead Sunrise’ and has toured and performed as both a soloist and collaborator throughout Australia and New Zealand, the Asia Pacific, and Europe.  Elsen collaborates and records with local artists and directs improvised string group the ‘Inlay Ensemble’ and jazz fusion band ‘The EJT’.

Ed Rodrigues has performed, recorded, and toured nationally and internationally covering a range of different genres from Jazz to Rock and Pop. Featured in issue 78 of Australia’s ‘Drumscene’ Magazine as one of the ‘Next Generation’ of Australian Jazz Drummers, Ed was a nominee for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship Awards in 2017. He is a 2020 Artist in Residence for Fine Music FM with States of Chaos.