Monique diMattina – Nola’s Ark

Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week is Nola’s Ark by Monique diMattina.

Pianist and singer/songwriter Moniqe diMattina spends much of her time in between Melbourne and New York. One of Australia’s more decorated Jazz exports, career highs include performing solo recitals for Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan and Vaclav Havel, and representing Australia at the IAJE Toronto. May 2013 sees Monique return with her new album Nola’s Ark which she recorded in the famed Piety studios in New Orleans, and the results are set to see her further enhance her already shining reputation.

Teaming up with a smoking hot set of musicians that were featured on the fabulous soundtrack to HBO’s series Treme, including trumpeter Leroy Jones (Harry Connick Jnr Band) and bass/sousaphone player Matt Perrine (Dr John, Jon Cleary), Nola’s Ark is a fresh selection of original songs and a couple of revitalised standards.

The influence from the city is abundant. There’s a sexy and soulful sound to her jazz music with a good time and infectious feel throughout. From grooving percussion and brass complimented with husky whispered vocals, slower smoky jazz ballads and basement blues tinged rhythms, Monique pays homage to the city in fantastic style. A classy sound from a classy act.

Nola’s Ark is a release by Jazzhead. For more information go to Jazzhead.com

Stay closely tuned to Eastside as we are giving away a copy of Nola’s Ark to a listener every-day this week!