Chris Cody presents his 11th album Astrolabe alongside his all-star band featuring some of the country’s finest jazz musicians.
A powerful musical journey, Astrolabe is inspired by French navigator La Pérouse’s voyage to Australia on the ship Astrolabe in 1788. Pérouse arrived in Botany Bay only six days after the First Fleet and vanished just weeks after leaving Australian shores. Cody says, “I found the voyage resonated with my own voyage to France and later back to Australia. I was challenged to grow as a musician and explore my identity and dreams. Both our stories share themes of old world versus new, the unknown, the meetings of different cultures, and of loss, death and disappearance. And ultimately, of hope and continuation.”
Cody’s work draws upon jazz, classical and world music to take audiences on a vibrant and exciting musical odyssey. It delves into differently imagined times, cultures and places to convey the emotions he felt after reading the ship journal. It starts with a medieval influenced dance in 5, move through upbeat jazz to a brass and wind chorale inspired by the stone figures of Easter Island. After a very still ballad and a north Japanese inspired temple piece, the music travels through a quirky dance in 7 with a hint of violence, a soulful lament for Père Receveur who died in Australia, the impending disaster and finally a waltz for hope.
Astrolabe
“Enthralling tribute to French explorer…startlingly effective music” – Sydney Morning Herald
“Joyous and up-tempo…beautifully meditative…sublime…wonderful…a thrilling musical voyage” – Loudmouth Magazine
“One of the hottest tickets of Autumn” – Spectrum, SMH
Five Stars: “a vibrant and exciting musical odyssey … excellent compositions … meticulously performed” Barry O’Sullivan, Fine Music Magazine
“Four stars: fascinating…an exotic soundscape…exceedingly gifted” The Australian, April 11 2020
“It’s as if new instruments are being devised by the minute …simply absorb the enthralling music … even more notable is the coherence and thoughtfulness of the composing as we journey across this new musical world.” John Shand, SMH July 17 2020
“Absolutely fascinating music and story” – Philip Adams, ABC
“A beautiful and original suite of music “ – Andrew Ford, The Music Show, ABC
Listen to Mundus Vetus
The album was beautifully recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney in December 2019, with sparkling mastering by Michael Lynch, artwork by Maya Cody, and design by Tim Kliendienst. It contains a booklet with the story, photos, and superb original engravings and quotes from the ship’s journal.
Musicians: Chris Cody composition and piano, Tom Avgenicos trumpet, Paul Cutlan saxophone, clarinets and flute, James Greening trombone, didgeridoo, conch, Susie Bishop, violin, Emily-Rose Sarkova accordion, Lloyd Swanton, bass, Fabien Hevia drums, percussion, ship bell.
Tracks: 1. Mundus Vetus (Old World) 6:12. 2. Departure 6:33 3. Stone Figures 8:34 4. Becalmed 7:33 5. Oku-Yeso 8:08 6. Pacifique 7:15 7. Père Receveur 5:53 8. Vanikoro 7:24 9. Espérance 8:25. Total time: 66:00
click here to purchase from bandcamp
ALBUM LAUNCH CONCERT:
8.30pm Saturday March 14, Foundry 616, Sydney, presented by SIMA
Album available digital and CD on bandcamp, Readings, Birdland, and chriscody.com.