Ursula and Sylvie's Debut Duo Album Recording!

Hey everyone!

Our names are Sylvie Noble and Ursula Harrison, and we are a vocal and double bass duo. We first met on the Cardiff jazz scene, and quickly bonded over a shared love of both jazz and folk music.

Maybe you've seen us perform at Black Mountain Jazz or Tiny Rebel, or will see out sets at Brecon Jazz Festival and The Small Space. We've had such a wonderful time playing these gigs for you, and we can't wait to get into the studio in a week to record our DEBUT DUO ALBUM!! The album will be comprised entirely of original music, pulling influence from genres all across the spectrum, particularly modern jazz, folk, and singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Gillian Welch. We can't wait for this project to reach your ears in 2026.

Unfortunately, our funding application to help with the associated costs of recording this album was unsuccessful, and so we are funding this project ourselves. If you are in a place to donate towards the making of this album, we would be hugely grateful. Any donations we receive will go towards the costs of hiring a studio and engineer, as well as the mixing and mastering of the album.

Here are a few quotes from a recent 4.5 star review we received from Ian Mann at 'The Jazz Mann' after our gig at Black Mountain Jazz:

'The duo blew everybody away with the quality of their singing and playing, the intimacy & maturity of the performance, their almost telepathic rapport, and the sheer quality of their original songs.'

'This is a duo that is primarily about serving the songs rather than demonstrating individual virtuosity. That’s not to say that they’re not both brilliant technicians, but they deploy their ‘chops’ tastefully and in the service of the music, but that doesn’t mean that they’re lacking in adventure either. Their compositions and arrangements are often audacious and improvisation remains an essential part of their creative process.'

'The release of the album will represent a major event in British jazz.'

Here's a link to the full review:

https://www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/ursula-harrison-and-sylvie-noble-duo-black-mountain-jazz-the-melville-centre-abergavenny-27-07-2025#google_vignette

Here's a bit of background on us as performers:

Ursula is a composer and bass player originally from Pontygwaith, South

Wales. Winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024, Harrison is currently

studying the European Jazz Master’s programme based in Conservatorium

van Amsterdam and Jazz Institut Berlin.

‘Known for her deep connection to the bass, Ursula captivates audiences with

her powerful and soulful performances.’ - ReelGood

Based in London, Sylvie Noble is a unique and powerful voice on the UK jazz

vocal scene. Currently studying her Jazz Master's at the Royal Academy of Music, her sound is anchored in a love for improvisation and storytelling.

‘Sylvie is on her own path; lots of imagination and beautiful sound.’ - Norma

Winstone

Thank you all so much for supporting a project that means so much to both of us. Whether that's coming to our gigs, following us on social media, or donating towards the album, it really does mean the world.

Lots of love,

Sylvie and Ursula