Clare Simmonds has the demure pose of a classically trained pianist, but appearances can deceive. She brings a vigour to her playing that can shift in an instant from gently lyrical tinkling into a tempestuous and thunderous violence that seems to wrack her whole being. It might seem that this is not a musician who likes to hold back, yet as a specialist accompanist Clare is blessed with extraordinary sensitivity to the sounds of others. James Barralet, on cello, is another classically trained musician, but like Clare, with a talent and passion for improvisation. James has played with Noel Taylor (clarinets) on several occasions and they share an ability to explore oblique harmonic interaction, straying on occasion closer to contemporary music than to Jazz.
The duo of Beibei Wang & Ansuman Biswas brings a fascinating blend of cultures & influences in the hands of two master percussionists. We can expect the raucous clammering of Chinese drums, the subtle, hypnotic patterns of Indian ragas, Jazz beats and rock beats, and eerily strange abstract noise.