Michelle Nicolle with Larry Koonse - Released March 7, 2025

Meeting musicians minutes before the gig you’re about to play, is quite a natural thing for me when I’m travelling abroad. I met Larry Koonse at a soundcheck in January 2020 for my first ever performance in Los Angeles. Our dear mutual friend Cathy Segal-Garcia booked us both. She knew. Launching into intricate, yet also intimate music together, in front of an audience with Larry that night; I knew, too. The beautiful combination of exciting, surprising with cosy, real sympatico is how I feel playing with Larry.

Although I’ve always recorded with my Quartet in Australia, some of my most favourite albums of all time are duo records: Ella and Joe Pass, Tuck’n’Patti. When it came to planning this, my 11th album, and first U.S. release I knew I needed to record with Larry.
From choosing the songs, chatting through arrangements, facing each other in the studio (with so much laughter and also tears) to the detailed mixing and mastering process this album really is the answer to the most moving line from a song, ever: (track 10) “and when you stand before the candles on a cake, oh let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make”. Thankyou, Larry!
To my friend and mentor, Cathy Segal-Garcia, I love you! John Leftwich, working with you was a ‘pinch me’ moment. So much love also to Ronny, Ella-Lu, Tamara Nicolle and Lee Topham. I honestly couldn’t “wish” so big without you.