Luke Howard to Launch Solo Album SUN, CLOUD at Melbourne Recital Centre, May 23

In 1802 a chemist and amateur meteorologist named Luke Howard presented a paper recommending a new system of classifying clouds, using the names cumulus, stratus and cirrus. Fast forward to 2013 and his namesake, pianist and composer Luke Howard is set to launch a sublime new solo album, appropriately enough called 'Sun, Cloud'.

Sun, Cloud is a captivating and textured album brought to life by a heady mix of piano, celeste, string quartet and electronics. Recorded over the past year in Australia, Iceland and Norway, it draws upon the minimalist approach of his previous projects such as the Luke Howard Trio and Magnolia.

"I'm an unashamed defender of beauty in music. 'Sun, Cloud' explores this outside the jazz idiom; it's a more classical approach", says Luke.

For 'Sun, Cloud' he worked with members of the Oslo Philharmonic and Melbourne Symphony, as well as past collaborators Janos Bruneel (Open Road), Ben Edgar, Daniel Farrugia, Leonard Grigoryan (Magnolia), and Ben Robertson.

Twice a finalist in the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, Luke now divides his time between Australia and Europe. He has shared the stage and recording studio with many musicians in his career, including Ben Frost, Paul Grabowsky, the Grigoryan Brothers, and Lior. He has played on over fifty recordings and has also written music for film and theatre. Luke's music has been described as "cinematic in its approach" (The Age) and "pastoral, almost semi-classical" (The Australian).

Following on from the recent sold-out launch of his trio album 'A Dove, A Lion, A Coast, A Pirate' (Which Way Music), 'Sun, Cloud' will be launched at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 23 May.

The album will be available for puchase at the launch and at www.lukehoward.com.

Luke will perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Salon on 23 May 2013 at 7.30pm. Call 03 9699 3333 or visit www.melbournerecital.com.au. Tickets: $35 & $25 concession.