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Chris Cody
Chris Cody is an internationally renowned pianist, composer and producer. In a career spanning over 40 years, he has headlined at numerous international festivals including Paris Quartiers d’Eté, London, Rome, Brussels Jazz Marathon, Stockholm, Munich, Marciac, Geneva, Ascona, Derry, Dar Es Salaam and Algiers and at a vast array of concert venues throughout the USA, Europe, Africa and Australasia, from the Village Gate NYC to the Munich Staatsoper.
He has worked with many outstanding international musicians including Roy Hargrove, Carla Bruni, Herb Geller, Tina Arena, Annie Whitehead, Rhoda Scott, Rick Margitza, Michel Jonaz, Sunny Murray, Marcel Azzola, Jason Marsalis, Sandy Evans, James Morrison and many more.
With 14 CDs of his music released on international labels he has received glowing reviews around the world, regularly featured on international radio and television and has collaborated as pianist, composer or producer on over thirty other international albums in a range of styles.
His compositions have been commissioned by the Australian Music Centre Paris, Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music France, Sydney Theatre Company, American Academy of Dance, Pillow Book Dance Company Pittsburg, Blenheim House, La Perouse Museum and various French and American theatre companies. He has composed the music for eight films, winning prizes at Toronto, Pau and Sydney festivals, and several TV and Radio documentaries. Awards and distinctions include a US Department of State Federal award, an APRA nomination for Naxos CD Oasis, a Django D’Or nomination France, a Bell award nomination, and the Jazz Action Society Award for Best Composition.
Highlights include being invited to perform for UNESCO in Paris for Charlie Parker's anniversary, concerts for the Australian Governor General and Australian and French Prime Ministers, his music being chosen for Qantas inflight jazz, and multiple tours throughout Europe and Africa with his group. Cody is a supporter of women’s involvement in music through his reviews and interviews for Music Trust Australia, his work for APRA art music awards and the Freedman fellowships, and his mentorship of young women performers and composers at Kincoppal College, Sydney.
“Heart and soul has audience enthralled.” Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
“A piano style that enthuses, is luminous and breathes …very inspired… a remarkable pianist.” Jazz Hot, France
"Splendidly rich and varied " Jazzwise, United Kingdom
"A fine mix of superior technical talent and youthful inventiveness" Variety USA
"Exceedingly gifted" The Australian
“The more ambitious the project the more Chris Cody rises in stature... rhythmically shape-shifting…creative… thrilling” Sydney Morning Herald
“Full of music and talent” Le Monde, France
Awards
2024 Create Australia Grant, New Works
2023 Judge, Freedman Fellowship Australia
2022 Australia Council Grant, New Works
2020 Judge, Freedman Fellowship Australia
2019 Australia Council Grant, New Works
2015 Australia Council Grant, New Works
2016 Judge APRA Art Music Awards
2015 Judge, Freedman Fellowship Australia
2014 Judge, Freedman Fellowship, Australia
2010 US Department of State Federal Award, Tour of Algeria
2003 Django D’Or Nomination, France
1999 Finalist Australian National Jazz Awards, Wangaratta
1998 APRA nomination for best jazz album for Chris Cody Coalition, Oasis
1995 Finalist Tremplin Jazz Val d’Oise
1989 Best Jazz Composition, Australian Jazz Action Society
1989 Jack Chrotowsky Prize for Jazz Piano, NSW Conservatorium of Music
1979 Finalist, Roger Woodward Classical Piano Scholarship
1977-87 Prize Winner Sydney and Warringah Eisteddfords
Tags
Chris Cody Coalition: Conscript
by Barry O'Sullivan
Conscript, from expatriate Australian pianist/composer Chris Cody and his ensemble Coalition, is as politically correct as it could be. A classically trained pianist, Cody's musical versatility has found expression in a wide variety of work situations, from theatrical music productions to television and jazz festivals, playing with top liners such as James Morrison and Don Burrows in Australia and with Antonio Hart, Herb Geller, Frank Lacy and Roy Hargrove in the USA. Cody is ...
Continue Reading"Magical!" Piano Magazine, France
"exhilarating ... a feast of melody..an inspiration never at fault.." JazzHot, France
"highly evocative and spacious..." Rhythms, Australia
"Full of music and future!" Le Monde, France
"A marvellous climate, between subtle arrangements and vast spaces of improvisation..."Jazz Magazine, France
"A superlative quartet. Chris Cody demonstrates an innate sense of rhythm and melodic lyricism." JazzAround, Belgium
"Very luminous jazz!" Télérama, France
Primary Instrument
Piano
Location
Sydney
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Piano teacher, British School of Paris 2003-07 Piano and Music professor, NSW Conservatorium of Music - University of Sydney (Direction of ensemble, arrangement, and improvisation classes,) 1996-2000 Piano and Music professor, Australian Institute of Music 1996-2000 (Director of Jazz Piano, Examination Panel, Direction of ensemble and improvisation classes Professor of music history, harmony and theory, Creation of music programs and syllabus). Founder, Co-Director and Teacher, Sydney School of Piano 1996-2000 Piano teacher, Kambala Church Of England Girl’s School, Sydney 1998-2000 Masterclass in advanced jazz at Australian National Jazz Awards 1999 Masterclasses and Workshops in BMUS programs, University of Western Sydney, 1997-98 Piano teacher, British School of Paris 1990-96 Piano teacher, direction of workshops and music camps, St
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