Monique diMattina
Gig Seeker Pro

Monique diMattina

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | INDIE

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | INDIE
Band Pop Adult Contemporary

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Creative Spirit in 'SENSES'"


" This recording is a wonderful example of the creative spirit in the music of Monique Di Mattina. It is enhanced by
a tone, touch and sensitivity at the keyboard which can only be found in artists of high calibre. It is a beautiful listening experience."

Dr Tony Gould - GROVE MUSIC

- Dr T Gould


"Quiet lyricism, hymnal beauty"

For the second time in two weeks, audiences have farewelled a respected member of Melbourne’s jazz community.
Hot on the heels of Alison Wedding’s departure for New York, Monique diMattina gave her final performance on Sunday before relocating to the same city. Like Wedding, diMattina visited New York earlier this year and knew it was where she needed to be. Paris Cat was brimming with proud family members and friends on Sunday for diMattina’s farewell gig, the venue perfectly suited to her intimate performance style.
For most of the evening, the singer-pianist was joined by Andy Baylor, whose subtle guitar underlined the relaxed warmth of diMattina’s songs. It’s only in recent months that diMattina has begun singing in public. So it was a pleasant surprise to hear her clear, light voice sliding easily across each melody with a sweetly seductive feel that reminded me of Norah Jones. The songs were mostly original, borrowing from early jazz and folk styles and often pinned to an unhurried, bluesy swagger.
However, the evening’s highlight was a bracket of solo instrumentals drawn from and inspired by diMattina’s new album, Senses. The pianist began with an extended improvisation consisting almost entirely of fast flowing ripples, creating a sense of movement that was by turns soothing and dramatic. The rushing water then subsided into a pool of quiet lyricism, almost hymnal in its beauty (Species), before segueing into a gentle waltz (Zephyr) that rocked back and forth like a shadowy lullaby. diMattina then performed two more vocal numbers with Baylor: a sashaying Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? And a zinging, toe-tapping I’m Old Fashioned. As an encore, they were joined by singer Nichaud Fitzgibbon for some impromptu blues where diMattina dug into the keyboard with earthy fervour and Fitzgibbon would the song’s slow-burn grove into a marvellously rich, gospel infused finale.

Jessica Nicholas,
Wednesday June 6, 2007-06-08
- THE AGE


Discography

2010 'WELCOME STRANGER'
Head Records - www.HeadRecords.com/WelcomeStranger

2009 'SENSES'
Dreams for solo piano

Previous releases on Elwood Records
'Live@JZ' - recorded at JZ Jazz Club, Hangzhou China
'South Side Six' - New Orleans revival
'Live at the 55 Bar' - recorded at the 55 Bar NYC

Available at http://cdbaby.com/all/mondim

Photos

Bio

Monique diMattina, Fulbright scholar come Singer/Songwriter launches her second album - Welcome Stranger.

Known for exquisite piano stylings ('Senses' 2009 enjoyed extensive ABC and BBC airplay), diMattina glides for the first time into the Jazz/Pop territory of her teen idol Rickie Lee Jones in this impressive release. Musical collaborators include guitar and bass virtuosi Doug de Vries, Sam Lemann and Ben Robertson, Steve Grant (C.W.Stoneking - accordion/trumpet) and perennial bluesman Andrew Swann on drums/guitars.

No stranger to songwriting or singing, diMattina returned to Melbourne to record Welcome Stranger following several years working in New York City, with artists as diverse as Lou Reed, Bjork and the bands of Peter Gabriel, Suzanne Vega and Norah Jones.

Welcome Stranger pays homage to diMattina's hometown Melbourne, humour and pathos gloriously entwining in songs such as the blues-hip 'Livingest Place' ("the weather man tries but he really doesn't know") sardonic 'Joan of Burwood' ("all she ever does is burn the steak..") and includes one cover - compatriat Paul Kelly's 'Dumb Things'. 

Stylistically Welcome Stranger's catchy grooves draw from lyrical country blues and New Orleans roots. Fans of the solo piano album Senses will recognise the characteristic diMattina elegance and mystic serenity, which national audiences can look forward to enjoying soon - extensive touring is planned in early 2011. Welcome Stranger is out on Head Records (www.HeadRecords.com/WelcomeStranger)