Their collaboration is anything but incidental — it is the product of a deep and lasting friendship that began during their student days, after a chance meeting in Leeds, England. What started as a one-off project quickly became a lifelong musical bond, growing through the formation of Snarky Puppy in 2004, countless tours, solo albums, and collaborations. In 2020, the natural next step arrived: the formation of their acoustic duo.

Their second duo album, “Keeping Company” (2024), offers a striking contrast to the high-energy complexity of Snarky Puppy. Instead, the focus here is on space, nuance, and emotional honesty. With Laurance on piano and League on fretless acoustic bass and oud, the album explores an organic, acoustic sound world full of understated beauty. Much of the music was recorded live, without overdubs, capturing the spontaneity and trust that defines their musical relationship.

Their playing is marked by deep listening and mutual sensitivity. League’s oud — an instrument he approaches with curiosity and respect rather than formal training — brings a soulful, exotic timbre, while Laurance favors lyrical, cantabile lines over virtuosic display. The result is music that feels like a conversation: intimate, exploratory, and refreshingly unfiltered.

Together, they have won multiple Grammy Awards with Snarky Puppy and have been influential figures in redefining modern instrumental music. Both artists are also active in solo and collaborative projects, constantly pushing their creative boundaries and exploring new musical terrain.

On stage:
Bill Laurance – piano
Michael League – oud, fretless bass, and vocals