Luke Abbott, Lotte Betts-Dean and Jack Wyllie - 'Endless Joy' release party

A release part for Luke Abbott, Lotte Betts-Dean and Jack Wyllie's 'Endless Joy' (SU019), out May 23. Support from Richard Pike performing with JQ as a duo, and Phexioenesystems. ‘Endless Joy’ is the latest album by Luke Abbott, which sees the Norfolk-based artist collaborate with internationally renowned classical vocalist Lotte Betts-Dean and regular collaborator Jack Wyllie (Szun Waves/Portico Quartet/Forgiveness) to create an album shaped by the history of east England. Abbott’s piano and modular synthesis contrasts with the darker, spacious voice and computer manipulations of Lotte Betts-Dean, with Jack Wyllie’s delicate saxophone touches smattered with FX. The album blends music recorded as a trio which is inspired by the writings of Julian of Norwich, in particular ‘Revelations of Divine Love’, some of the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman, alongside solo prepared piano works, that were recorded in the Red House studio in Aldeburgh, said to be haunted by the ghost of 20th Century painter Mary Potter. The sessions were written and performed during a residency at Britten Pears Arts in Snape Maltings, Suffolk, with the combination of the modern and historical evident not just in the recording environment, but also the sonic palette, which echoes classical music’s mid-century explorations of high art composition with modern, spatial electroacoustic movements. This is a rare combination of three musicians at the top of their musical prowess and artistry. The album will be launched to coincide with their debut performance at the Norwich Festival in May 2025.