On Thursday night 21st April, audiences at the El Rocco jazz cellar in Kings Cross will be treated to a performance by what is possibly the most overqualified jazz ensemble in Sydney. Frontperson Melissa Cox is not only a jazz violinist and vocalist, but also has a PhD in Mathematics – and hers is not the only postgraduate maths qualification in the band.
‘Didi [Mudigdo], my pianist, has a Masters in Applied Maths,’ explains Melissa. ‘It wasn¹t a prerequisite though! – I work with Didi is because he¹s a beautiful player, not because he can solve differential equations!’
Singer/instrumentalist Melissa Cox is one of the few violinists to embrace jazz convincingly. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music jazz course, Melissa takes her inspiration from horn players of the American ‘cool school’ of the 1950s, rather than from violinists of the French ‘hot club’ gypsy tradition of the 1930s.
‘I love the lyricism that came out of the cool school,’ she says. ‘Maybe it’s because I¹m also a singer.’
It is her jazz quartet ‘CinCin’ (pronounced chin-chin) that teams her with pianist Didi Mudigdo. The quintessential singer’s pianist, Didi’s sensitivity in accompaniment attests to his first jazz piano influence, Nat Cole.
‘Didi really understands the lyricism thing,’ says Melissa, ‘which makes him the perfect pianist for a singer. I think he¹s worked with just about every singer in Sydney by now!’
The collaboration between Melissa and Didi began with an impromptu performance at a friend’s wedding in 1998. This Thursday they are joined by Craig Scott on double bass and Dave Goodman on drums, in a performance at the ‘El Rocco’ jazz cellar in Kings Cross. Craig Scott has performed with everyone from Aussie jazz stars Don Burrows and James Morrison to international legends Lee Konitz and Joe Henderson. Since joining Mike Nock’s band at the age of 18, Dave Goodman has performed with international jazz and pop stars including Bob Berg, James Morrison and Deni Hines.
‘I’m really excited about performing at this venue – so much of Australian jazz history was played out there. And to have Craig and Dave on the gig is just fantastic. We¹re going to have so much fun!’
CinCin perform Thursday 21st April at the El Rocco jazz cellar, downstairs at Bar Me, 154 Brougham St, Kings Cross. Performance commences 8pm, door charge is $10/$5. Bookings to the venue on 9368 0894.
For further information please contact Melissa Cox on 0415 562567 or melissa@cincin.com.au, or Didi Mudigdo on 0407 270149 or didi@cincin.com.au.
