Pianist, singer and composer Joy Ellis' acclaimed debut album, Life On Land, reflects her passion for jazz, a love of groove and dance music, her classical roots as a pianist and the mournful, soulful aspects of being a singer-songwriter, developed over many years, singing the poetry of artists such as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.

London-based Joy has drawn inspiration from the metropolis for the CD, featuring highly original vocal and instrumental music that takes the listener on a journey through the excitement, vibrancy and also loneliness of life in the capital.

Fascinated by jazz harmony, Joy has been hugely influenced by the music of composers such as Billy Strayhorn and the harmonic explorations of singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding.

With a voice that has been compared to singers such as Carol Kenyon, Jill Saward (of Shakatak), Annie Ross, Shirley Horn and Dame Cleo Laine, Joy nevertheless has a distinctive voice of her own, allied to impressive piano skills, with shades of Zoe Rahman, Keith Jarrett and McCoy Tyner in her playing.

Backed by a rock-solid rhythm section comprising Rob Luft (Guitar), Henrik Jensen (Double Bass) and Adam Osmianski (Drums), this is an extremely talented young woman who knows her own mind and exactly how she needs to express herself. A class act.