Chris Cody ‘The Outsider’ & Amanda Suwondo Trio

The Outsider is an exciting new work for Chris Cody’s jazz octet, with music ranging from the blues to jazz and gospel, lightly perfumed by African and Middle Eastern motifs and grooves.

The band features some of Australia’s finest jazz and world musicians who bring an incredible array of talent and experience for this unique concert.

This new project carries on from Chris’ recent work and explores notions of identity, the meeting of cultures, the individual’s role in society, survival, loss, resilience and hope.

The Outsider is a musical manual for survival, full of hope and optimism, inspired by diverse influences including French writer Albert Camus and Chris’ work with African and Arab musicians in France.

“It's as if new instruments are being devised by the minute … simply absorb the enthralling music ... the melodic richness is realised with ever-changing textures… Cody builds improvisational space into the work, and such gifted players inevitably lead us to uncharted lands, but even more notable is the coherence and thoughtfulness of the composing as we journey across this new musical world.” - Sydney Morning Herald 

• Chris Cody - Piano, Composition and Direction

• Nadje Nordhuis - Trumpet

• Michael Avgenicos - Sax, Flute, Clarinet

• James Greening - Trombone, Didgeridoo

• Adnan Baraki - Oud

• Lloyd Swanton - Double Bass

• Adem Yilmaz - Percussion

• James Waples - Drums

Amanda Suwondo Trio

Originally from Indonesia, Sydney pianist, Amanda Suwondo, has aesthetic palettes in her music through harmony and improvisation. Amanda combines her compositions through her musical influence in jazz, pop and r&b. Amanda’s debut album, 'Revisit', was written whilst travelling around the world and inspired by many occasions, family members, friends, mentors and musicians whom she encountered whilst on this journey. Amanda and her trio will be sharing her original music as well as some arranged standards as part of her album tour and in collaboration with SIMA Winter Jazz Festival for her friends, family members and everyone who loves to support live music.

• Amanda Suwondo - Piano

• Muhamed Mehmedbasic - Double Bass

• Gian Timothy Gho - Drums

This event received a City of Sydney CBD activation grant.