NEW WAVE MUSIC: Jazz Duo: Lucy Joy + Thomas Sladden

Joy and Sladden are interested in exploring standards a little off the piano/voice-duo-beaten-track, whether through adding original vocalese to instrumental standards, finding a joyful sense of fun in 'character tunes', modern reharmonisation of older tunes or digging a little deeper for repertoire. They also include some original tunes by Joy and Sladden. Examples include a lyrically-updated version of I'm Hip, a compelling original take on Naima with a new vocalese by Lucy Joy, and a modern reharmonisation of Tea For Two by Thomas Sladden. Influences range from Oscar Peterson to Blossom Dearie, from Cecile McLorin Salvant to Kurt Elling, all imaginatively drawn into a soulful, lyrical sound.

The jazz duo lends a unique opportunity for collective improvisation, which they explore keenly. Each solo becomes not a feature but an opportunity to work together to move the music in a different direction. Exploratory rehearsal and two like-minds often leads to spontaneous arrangements and dynamic but always sensitive free improvisation. As a result, no two performances are the same.