JOE CHINDAMO
pianist, composer, producer.
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAID
"There are some pianists who dazzle with their touch and technique. There are others who knock you out with their restless creativity or erudition. Then there are those who seduce you by evoking emotions of vulnerability, joy and rage, playing as if they are telling you a story. What makes Joe Chindamo different is that he is one of the few who can integrate all these qualities." Leon Gettler, The Age
"Throughout, his approach is one of unpretentious elegance under-scored by superlative technique." Jack Bowers Cadence Magazine, New York
"He has that Bill Evans knack for bringing unlikely material into his own orbit." Michael Cuscana, Blue Note reissue producer USA
"Joe Chindamo is literally in a 'etat de grace' (state of grace) in this recording [live at Umbria Jazz 05] ........he reaches a summit in that he belongs to the realm of jazz piano greats for whom virtuosity is placed at the service of extraordinary musicality and art....... Finally, the choice of songs and their presentation make this recording one of the great releases of 2005. BRAVISSIMO" Yves Sportis Le Jazz Hot ,France.
"Meldau is a great jazz pianist, we all know, but the latest discovery at the Umbria Festival is [a pianist] called Chindamo....He [Chindamo] tranforms and mixes his Tatumesque technique with other ways of thinking about the piano... perfecting a pianism which is rich and delicate, fluid and animated, deconstructed and recomposed with sharp intellegence; all the while, making it relevant to today by aligning itself with modernity" Aldo Gianolio L'unita, Italy
"The tenderness and delicacy of his ballad playing, reinforces my opinion that he has no peer as a balladeer in this country [Australia]" Kevin Jones 2MBS magazine, Aust.
"A virtuoso in the tradition of Peterson (and his idol, Art Tatum), Chindamo demonstrates here that technique isn’t only about speed and accuracy, it’s also to do with touch and expression....It’s a triumphant display that should appeal to any fan of classic piano jazz." Adrian Jackson, Rhythms Magazine and The Bulletin, Aust.
"Never, in all my years in Australia, have I heard anyone come even remotely close [to Joe Chindamo]." Tommy Tycho, conductor, pianist, composer, arranger
"He has more facility on the piano than you could ever wish for, his energy is boundless, he is forever inventive and never settles for the obvious (unless it's the best). Never ask Joe for an idea unless you are prepared for an avalanche of creativity, every time... The reason Joe Chindamo arrests you when you hear him is his sheer love of what he does, a love that sparkles from every note.†James Morrison
AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Won the 2002 MO award for Australian Jazz Instrumental Performer of the Year and nominated for the same award in 2003.
Won the 2004 MO award for Australian Jazz Instrumental Performer of the Year.
Awarded chairman's Bell award for outstanding acheivement for 2004.
Won the Bell award for best classic jazz album of 2006. "Live at Umbria Jazz 05".
ABC television documentary made about his life and career, Joe Chindamo - Profile of a Jazz Pianist in 2000.
In 2003 awarded 2 year FELLOWSHIP by Australia Council to compose, perform and study
Won the ABC people's choice award for best jazz album of 1997, Anyone who had a heart (Burt Bacharach song book) and nominated for an ARIA award.
RECORDED AND PRODUCED 15 CDS
The First Take ( aka A brief history of standards time - with US bassist Ray Brown)
Reflected Journey (with Michael and Randy Brecker)
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Good Little Ploy (Joe Chindamo with String Orchestra)
Smokin' gun
Love, Blues and Other Fiction
Paradiso
America!
Joy of Standards, Joy of Standards Vol.2
Tender Is The Night (with Nina Ferro)
Joe Chindamo Live at Umbria Jazz 05
2X2 James Morrison and Joe Chindamo
Answer Me My Love (due for release late 2007)
Duende - The Romantic Project (due for release in September 2007)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Recorded and performed with Ray Brown, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Ernie Watts, Brian Bromberg, James Morrson, Olivia Newton John, Graeme Lyall and US drummer Billy Cobham, with whom Joe made two CDs as sideman and toured the world 20 times throughout a ten year association. Also performed with Lee Konitz, Shirley Bassey and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Worked as studio pianist on more than 60 film sountracks, including Babe, The Man From Snowy River II, A Cry in the Dark, Warlock, Missing in Action II. Hotel Sorrento and The Sound of One Hand Clapping.
In 2000, began recording for the Sawano record company in Japan. The first release with Sawano, Joy of Standards, reached Number 1 in Japan's HMV Modern Jazz Charts. Other releases also became best sellers in Japan. America – Joe Chindamo Trio plays the Paul Simon Song Book, Joy of Standards Vol.2, Paradiso and Anyone Who Had a Heart.
In 2005, appeared at Umbria Jazz Winter in Orvieto, Italy in January, and Umbria Jazz in Perugia in July, where he joined a distinguished lineup of jazz greats, including Oscar Peterson and Tony Bennett. (Recorded first solo CD, Joe Chindamo, Solo- Live At Umbria Jazz 05 at this festival). In April 2005, performed a series of concerts in India. In August that year, performed in Taiwan (with James Morrison and vocal group Idea of North) and in November was invited by the Australian/Israeli Cultural Exchange to play in Israel, where he gave a concert in Tel Aviv and a nationally televised solo recital at the Jerusalem Museum. In December, performed at Norfolk Island, with Australian jazz legends Don Burrows and James Morrison.
In late 2005 recorded first collaborative CD with James Morrison called James Morrison and Joe Chindamo 2X2. A performance of an orchestrated version of 2X2 with James and Joe as featured soloists is scheduled for 2008 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House.
In 2005, composed a modern orchestral work, Concerto for Accordion. Orchestra.
In 2006, recorded a live solo DVD in Tokyo entitled Joe Chindamo in Japan. This was released in early 2007.
In 2006, supported jazz singer Dianne Reeves on her Australian tour in a solo set.
In 2007, featured in 4 concerts at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Inivited by one of the world's great concert pianists, Michele Campanella, to perform three concerts in Italy in February 2008. As curator of this piano festival, Michele has invited 10 outstanding classical pianists from all over the world - Joe will be the only improvising pianist to participate in this distinguished series of piano concerts.
Famous piano maker Paolo Fazioli has also invited Joe to perform at his celebrated Fazioli Auditorium in Italy in 2008. This will be Joe's first appearance at an event customarily reserved for distinguished classical artists, such as Angela Hewitt and Nicolai Demidenko, who are regularly asked to perform at this venue by Mr. Fazioli.
Short bio:
Born in 1961, Melbourne. Commenced music lessons at 6 (on accordion). Switched to piano at 16 on which he received first formal lesson at 18. Attended Melbourne State College, majoring in music and maths. Graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Education. Continued piano studies with Massimo Bertucci in Italy.
