After releasing her highly anticipated debut album ‘Looking Glass (Live)’, rising star in Liverpool’s Soul, Jazz and R&B scene, Lydia Reece will premiere her album at District on 12th December, alongside her live band, strings, backing-singers and horn section.
In celebration of the release, Lydia Reece is partnering with Parrjazz this December to captivate audiences, taking them through her journey with an album play-through. Cultivating a passionate, free-flowing and evocative tone alongside a powerful stage presence, Reece’s reputation as an exceptional live artist continues to flourish.
Curating a repertoire from both her debut album and other surprises from her locker, audiences can expect a set stuffed full of heartfelt soul, head-bopping groove and dramatic melodies.
“She is clearly an expert in writing memorable, catchy lyrics and melodies that are wonderfully reinforced by the funky nature of her band. The atmosphere created by this insanely talented musician was absolutely electric” — London Gig Guide, July 2024
Reece’s live album is a 10 track montage spanning the worlds of Nu-soul, R&B and jazz, all of which manifest in her luscious blend of harmonies, melisma and jazz cadence. Directly influenced by songwriters and leading front-women in the industry such as Lauryn Hill, RAYE, Hiatus Kaiyote and Yebba, she draws inspiration from the intricacies of human emotion and personal experience, channelling maximalism and theatrical elements into her writing style.
“The album is an introspective narrative that replicates the kaleidoscope of heightened emotions that a person can feel traversing through relationships in their teens & early twenties. I wanted the album to replicate the different stages of a relationship – from the joys, to the pitfalls, to the breakdowns, to the epiphanies – and the impact they can have on one’s self esteem.” — Lydia Reece – March 2024
Arranged by co-writer and pianist Jack Drummond-Joy and recorded live at The Lightning Cave Studio, the album replicates the orchestral, popular-classical editions of her work that were played at her debut stand-alone sellout show at The Tung Auditorium in Liverpool back in February 2024. The nuanced, intricate orchestral arrangements, compelling lyricism and authentic live recording take the listener on a dramatic journey of contrasting and heightened emotions.
“When she sang me the songs, it felt like a piece of theatre; like one giant monologue that needed asides, scene changes, an overture, and the craziest crash-and-burn finale that we could pull off. Each melody was then a bit like an unstoppable thought – you never really heard it by one sole voice – you had it told to you in ten different ways by seven orchestral instruments. The arrangements were all about orchestrating Lydia’s words and melodies in a way that was just as messy and introspective as the message.” — Jack Drummond-Joy (Lead Arranger) – August 2024
After releasing her highly anticipated debut album ‘Looking Glass (Live)’, rising star in Liverpool’s Soul, Jazz and R&B scene, Lydia Reece will premiere her album at District on 12th December, alongside her live band, strings, backing-singers and horn section.
Parr Jazz Presents: Lydia Reece Album Launch / District, Baltic Triangle, 61 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BE / Thursday 12th December 2024, 7pm
