We're delighted to welcome to The Lescar a duo at the forefront of European jazz, vocalist Elina Duni and guitarist Rob Luft. With 2 acclaimed albums on the iconic ECM records, their music is beautiful, timeless and resonant, drawing on folk songs as well as their own co-written original material.

Since signing to ECM records in 2012, Swiss-Albanian vocalist Elina Duni has been building an international reputation with a wonderful mix of traditional Albanian folk songs and jazz, leading to worldwide critical acclaim, performing with musicians including David Enhco, Colin Vallon, Fred Thomas and Matthiu Michel. Recipient of the Swiss Music Prize in 2017, her music has a subtle and nuanced lightness.

Guitarist Rob Luft is one of the most distinctive and original UK jazz musicians of his generation, a BBC New Generation Artist, with two acclaimed albums on Edition Records. He's recorded and performed with the likes of John Surman, Dave O'Higgins, Alice Zawadzki, Corrie Dick, and Elina Duni. His joyously original sound is an ideal counterpart for Elina Duni's vocals.

Here's some of their music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDjFKjAjQI4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg7-RdI-Ppg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWhXA6-zRGU

Read more about Rob and Elina here:

https://robluft.co.uk/

http://elinaduni.com/

Join us for an utterly unique gig, an electrifying pairing of UK music legend, vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, alongside wonderful tap dancer Petra Haller; a one off performance bringing together the groundbreaking synergy of Watkiss's virtuosic vocal range and Haller's innovative tap. With roots in Hackney, East London, and a global career spanning collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Art Blakey, Sly & Robbie, Abdullah Ibrahim, Courtney Pine, Soul II Soul, Goldie, Cassandra Wilson, the Kenny Wheeler Big Band, Talvin Singh, and Bjork, Watkiss has been hailed for a voice that defies genres, weaving between jazz, classical, reggae, and experimental soundscapes. His versatility and curiosity have led him to stages worldwide, captivating audiences with his soulful VocalSuite performances and genre-crossing quartet, CWQ, and he was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours.

"Best Male Jazz Singer in Britain" Evening Standard

Alongside him Petra Haller is an artist making a real impact on the UK scene, treating tap as a distinct instrument, creating rhythms that bring depth, texture and energy to the music, and inviting the audience into a world where dance becomes the beat itself. Working alongside some of jazz's leading musicians and with a reputation for her boundary-pushing solo projects, Petra visited The Lescar last year with pianist Meg Morley, a truly memorable night.

"Petra Haller is unique as an improvising tap dancer - a worthy successor to Will Gaines." Oliver Weindling, Vortex Jazz Club/babel label

Together, Watkiss and Haller transform each improvisation into a narrative, an interplay of voice and movement that connects past and present, tradition and innovation. Join us for an evening that celebrates the art of improvisation and the power of creative collaboration. Two artists uniting in a performance that's sure to be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.