Image 01 credits: Jep Jorba

Bill Laurance & Michael League

oud, bass, piano

Some duos are put together specially. Others come about by themselves. Like that of pianist Bill Laurance and bassist Michael League. The two have known each other since their student days, when they came together as musical kindred spirits. Anything that was fun was allowed: classical, soul, folk, jazz. It was the founding phase of a collective that was to become known as Snarky Puppy and travel the world. Their joint duo is an alternative to the large format. It's all about the inside view, with Laurance on piano and League on fretless bass guitar and oud. They do without a band, which gives them musical freedom. The sound of the oud opens up further free spaces, sonic canvases that allow filigree, detailed images.

‘Keeping Company’ is the duo's second album after “Where You Wish You Were”. Both wrote numerous pieces with the aim of delving even deeper into their personal musical language. The focus is on the pure and organic, without much technique, without overdubbing, with elements of soul jazz. League explores the oud from his own perspective, while Laurance reduces the piano to melodies and compact improvisation. The album is like a collection of sounding Polaroids, spontaneous and intuitive, carried by the creative dialogue of two musical companions.

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Bill Laurance & Michael League
Bill Laurance & Michael League

Calendar

2025

23 04
EE - Tallinn Jazzkaar Festival
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Von Krahl
25 04
FI - Espoo Espoo Jazz Festival
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Espoo Cultural Centre (Tapiola Hall)
26 04
LT - Kaunas Kaunas Jazz Festival
Bill Laurance & Michael League | National Kaunas Drama Theater
27 04
MA - Tanger The Local Spring Festival
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Palais des Institutions Italiennes
04 05
ES - Barcelona International Jazz Day / Free Outdoor Show
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Plaça de Catalunya
06 06
JP - Minato City 1 day - 2 shows / first show
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Blue Note Tokyo
06 06
JP - Minato City 1 day - 2 shows / second show
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Blue Note Tokyo
07 06
JP - Minato City 1 day - 2 shows / second show
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Blue Note Tokyo
07 06
JP - Minato City 1 day - 2 shows / first show
Bill Laurance & Michael League | Blue Note Tokyo
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Contact

Patrick Weißenfels

Booking Agent

Lena Werner

Production Manager

Representation: worldwide