“World class, swinging, passionate, alert and intuitive” – Cadence Jazz Magazine (USA)

CHRIS CODY OCTET (9pm): As an Australian jazz pianist living in Paris for 25 years, Chris Cody became drawn to the story of French navigator La Pérouse, who landed in Botany Bay in 1788. “What I like about La Pérouse and his journey is that it wasn’t about conquest… It was all about learning and expanding human knowledge. “ When Chris returned to Sydney in 2013, he felt compelled to write La Pérouse Suite, an original composition for 10 instruments and eight musicians. Mostly jazz, it has some classical and world music references, as well as subtle flavours brought in from La Pérouse’s travels. Don’t miss this world premiere of a landmark work.

CHRIS CODY composition, piano /JAMES GREENING Trombone, didjeridoo /LLOYD SWANTON bass FABIAN HEVIA drums, percussion Additional instrumentation of flute, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and accordion.

AMBRE HAMMOND & MARCELLO MAIO (8pm): Classical pianist Ambre Hammond and accordion virtuoso Marcello Maio present some of the most haunting and celebrated music by Astor Piazzolla, as well as music by Brazilian composer Jobim as a taste of their upcoming album.

MARCELLO MAIO accordion /AMBRE HAMMOND piano

What: SIMA  – Winter Jazz Finale!

When: Saturday 25th August at 8 pm

Where: Sound Lounge (Seymoure Centre)

To find out more and buy Tickets Click here!

Jazz musician’s new show inspired by French explorer La Pérouse

(Ben James, Southern Courier – February 27, 2018)

WHILE living in Paris, Australian-born jazz pianist Chris Cody became inspired by the great French navigator La Perouse who landed in Botany Bay in 1788. When he returned home in 2013 and moved in just a stone’s throw from the suburb of La Perouse, he felt compelled to write about the French hero. Cody became interested in Perouse while living in Paris.

“He was an incredible explorer, perhaps sometimes overlooked,” Cody said. “I like this idea of the old world and the new world meeting. He went on this incredible journey through different cultures from South America to Asia, Japan, the Pacific Islands and then Australia. I think it’s a fantastic story.”

Cody studied music and French at Sydney University before completing a jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He wanted to see the venues and immerse himself in the music scenes he had read so much about so bought a one-way ticket to Paris — where he remained for 25 years.

“Those early years were great; I was getting gigs around town, staying out until sunrise and then I feel in love.

Cody became a favourite on the jazz circuit in Europe while living in Paris.

“It’s strange because when I was in Paris I was inspired by Australia and the space, light and the colours. Now I’m back I’m drawing on things from France and now La Perouse.”

He added: “What I like about La Perouse and his journey is that it wasn’t about conquest. He went out with botanists, astrologers and cartographers.

“It was all about learning and expanding human knowledge. He had 250 people and he didn’t take soldiers. It was all about learning.” Cody lives with his French wife and children in Maroubra.

The show, which he hopes to premiere this winter, will feature 10 songs played by up to eight musicians. “It will mostly be jazz but with some classical references and world music.

“I’m going to try out a few of the songs on Friday and see what works and what doesn’t. It’s really exciting. ” The musician said the work will not be a storytelling piece on La Pérouse but rather take his story as a starting point.