The Rhythm of Life is the first collaborative project by Trudy and her husband bassist Geoff Gascoyne. For 15 years they have worked in supportive roles on each other's albums with Trudy as the vocalist or PR/record company director and Geoff as either bassist, arranger or producer. This new release combines their energy and enthusiasm for the unconventional, and it seems fitting to use a pseudonym for the project... Ted and Gladys.

Listen

Beat Of My Heart

Been So Long

The Rhythm Of Life

About the album

“Ted and Gladys began as the working title of the project and just stuck really. I'm not sure who is Ted and who is Gladys,” says Trudy. The duo have been married for ten years and lead busy lives performing, teaching and being mum and dad. The album features 8 original songs co-written by Trudy and Geoff, plus a handful of rare standards.

In some cases the originals are based on personal experiences, such as “Lovely Blue Dress”, “Rosie” and “Poppies”. Others are inspired by life and love – “Save Me”, “Been so Long”, “Girl Alone” and “The Letter”. Trudy has also penned lyrics to an Eddie Harris ballad “Without You”, which features Anthony Kerr on Vibes and a Yellow Jackets tune “With These Hands” featuring Geoff soloing on electric bass.

The covers include the title track a swinging arrangement of Cy Coleman’s The Rhythm of Life and a 1935 standard by Harold Spina and Johnny Burke called “Beat of My Heart”, a bass and voice duet featuring a rare appearance by Geoff on backing vocals. A Blossom Dearie cover of “Hey John” adds a touch of nostalgia and a guitar (Chris Allard) and vocal version of "Elusive Butterfly lends a wistful tone.

With so many musical influences at its heart, this collaboration is diverse and creative with a contemporary sound but a distinctive retro flavour.

Trudy Kerr Vocals
Geoff Gascoyne Bass
Matt Home Drums
Tom Cawley Piano
Andy Panayi Saxes/flute
Martin Shaw Trumpet
Chris Allard Guitar
Ashley Slater Trombone
Anthony Kerr Vibes