"The sound of midnight in Paris" John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, ****

Foundry616 welcomes back pianist Chris Cody, who after living in Paris for over 20 years, returned to live in Sydney last year. Already performing widely, Chris and his group will be playing his latest compositions.

Karl Lakowski - saxophone

Chris Cody - piano

Brendan Clarke - double bass 

James Waples - drums

While in France Chris worked extensively in clubs and festivals around Europe with a wide range of musicians including Rick Margitza, Herb Geller, Sunny Murray, Marcel Azzola, Glenn Ferris, Annie Whitehead, Barry Altschul, Carla Bruni, and Michel Jonasz. Aside from appearing on numerous CDs as both leader and sideman, he has also written and produced music for theatre, television and film in Europe, North America and Australia.

Cody’s music reveals not only his deep love of the jazz and classical traditions, but also the influence of contemporary French and African musicians he has encountered in Paris, and its warmth, sense of space and humour touch a wide and diverse public around the world while receiving rave reviews from the critics.

The pianist’s compositions reflect the diversity of his tone: a touch both firm and singing, a deliberately rapid phrasing, but that never loses sight of the melody, a taste for full fleshed harmonies sometimes close to gospel … it unfolds tenderly and majestically, seduces you to the charm of an inspired interpretation of which the atmosphere will haunt you a long time. Magical". Piano Magazine , France

Having a pianist of Cody's standard back in Australia is a coup for jazz lovers. If you haven't already, we urge you to come and check out his music.

"Some of the best musicians of the moment …a feast of melody…an inspiration never at fault…a facility for improvisation that leaves you stunned … an absolute mastery…everyone expresses himself marvellously on the compositions of Cody who is an excellent pianist…another example of a jazz that knows the evolution towards the avant garde but stays anchored on lasting values, and privileges feeling, beauty and melody". JazzHot, France