Review by John McBeath (courtesy of the Australian)

not my lover

Album: Not My Lover
Artist:   Chris Cody
Release Date: December 2015
Label:   WAve Music 15001

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Australian pianist/composer Chris Cody spent 25 years based in Paris, recording nine albums and playing extensively throughout Europe often with outstanding international musicians, composing music for films and TV, and garnering many awards and accolades.

Cody returned to settle in Sydney in 2014 and this quartet recording is his first release since. Although a confirmed jazz performer Cody has long had an association with classical music, playing solo and chamber music: he was a finalist in the Roger Woodward Piano Scholarships at age 14, and studied with composer Peter Sculthorpe, as well as at London’s Trinity College. It’s not difficult to trace classical influences in the new collection of ten tracks, of which eight are originals.

For an avowed Francophile, Cole Porter’s I Love Paris is probably a necessity and Cody works over the overworked standard with flair and sensitivity in a trio context with adept drum work from James Waples and Brendon Clarke on bass.

The title track is a moody ballad with Karl Laskowski on tenor – he’s on seven numbers – beginning in a slow tempo and cranking up to a medium groove as Laskowski leans right into the piece with fast runs and strong staccato notes as Cody supplies the foundation before breaking into a flowing solo.

Scatter is a post-bop theme whose bluesy overtones are explored by both tenor and piano and abetted by Waples’s astute kit work.

This is an album of talented performers playing varied compositions, adding an unusual jazz piano style that incorporates interesting classical ideas and flourishes.

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