Description

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.

Description

Colchester Arts Centre - the little church with the big attitude deep in the heart of Essex.
Well that's how we describe it anyway. It sort of works, it at least gives a flavour of what we're about.

Because just how do you describe a venue that can put children's entertainer Palfi the Clown on, on the same day as Cradle of Filth?
Where a Farmer's Market in the morning becomes a comedy club in the evening, where folk enthusiasts can sit happily knitting (and they do!) in the exact same spot a ferocious mosh pit of teenage dancing takes place the following night?

And where the beautiful historic architecture of St Mary's Church dating back over a thousand years, plays host to some of the newest comics, most modern choreographers, some of the coolest DJ's and some of the freshest talent in Britain.

Over the years we've promoted Coldplay, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, Harry Hill, Catherine Tate, Jo Brand, The Libertines, Ash, The Killers, The Strokes, Phill Jupitus, Mick Jones, Bill Bailey, Jack Dee, Count Arthur Strong - all before anyone had ever heard of them of course - plus the likes of jazz legend Ronnie Scott and even the late lamented and much loved Brian Johnston the cricket commentator.

Our passion to present new work bring great bands and comics to Colchester burns more brightly than ever. Our business is all about fresh ideas, new acts, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working. We can't stand still. We embrace the new, the quirky the original and yes, the surreal.

Church Street,

Colchester,

Essex,

England,

CO1 1NF.

01206 500 900