STAGES Episode 629: MONIQUE DIMATTINA

Acclaimed Australian pianist/composer and singer/songwriter Monique diMattina has recorded and performed extensively since the early 2000’s, working in various genres and settings. Monique has released three solo piano albums in filmic and neo-classical styles, and three jazz/pop albums as singer/songwriter, including the critically acclaimed ‘Nola’s Ark’, recorded in New Orleans with producer Mark Bingham (R.E.M. Cassandra Wilson), Leroy Jones, Matt Perrine and June Yamagishi. Monique has composed music for various film and stage projects, and is known for her ABC and Triple R radio segment ‘Shaken Not Rehearsed’, in which she wrote and performed songs within an hour, to listener requests. In her energetic live performances Monique’s larrikin lyrics are at the fore, supported by her authoritative and soulful pianism. Monique has toured her shows The Dao of Dylan and An Affair to Dismember to critical acclaim. A Fulbright Scholar, Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne and PhD Candidate at the University of Tasmania, Monique teaches in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Monash University Jazz departments, and is in demand as an artist-in-residence and clinician. In 2000 diMattina received Fulbright and Queens Trust awards to study music in NYC. While in NYC on and off over ten years, Monique wrote her Masters’ thesis on jazz pianist Wynton Kelly, waited tables at the Village Vanguard Jazz Club, studied with Sophia Rosoff, Fred Hersch, Sam Yahel and Barry Harris, played regularly at singer/songwriter haunts The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall and Joe's Pub, performed recitals for dignitaries including Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton and Vaclav Havel, worked for Bjork, opened for Lou Reed, taught at the Henry Street Music School and ran the New York marathon. After witnessing the 9/11 attacks in NYC Monique wrote a series of solo piano works that were to become her first solo piano release - Senses. At this time Monique also recorded her first album Live at the 55 at the iconic 55 Bar in Greenwich Village - an instrumental collection of covers and originals in a blues/roots vein. In between periods in NYC, diMattina travelled extensively, spending time in Europe, Japan, China and Sydney as principal pianist for The Lion King Orchestra. Between 2009 and 2016 Monique released five albums on the Head Records label. She was recently Musical Director of ‘Tapestry: The Songs of Carol King’ with Vika Bull and Debra Byrne. In addition to presenting her own shows, Monique performs in duo with Rebecca Barnard, with Harry James Angus (The Cat Empire), Alma Zygier and Clare Bowditch. Monique’s newest musical accomplishment is the world premiere of STELLA: A New Australian Musical which celebrates Stella Miles Franklin’s own dramatic story. This new addition to the Australian musical cannon debuts at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre in Melbourne for a strictly limited season from 12–20 June.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).