Live from Lloyd’s Place

Live from Lloyd’s Place is a tightly focused yet emotionally rich EP that places Ben Stewart firmly in his element as a composer, keyboardist, and bandleader. The New Zealand born, London based artist presents two contrasting pieces that feel like opposite sides of the same thought, capturing the tension between pressure and calm that comes with city life, distance, and self reflection. Recorded at Lloyd Haines’ Finsbury Park studio, the sound is clear, warm, and unmistakably world class, allowing every interaction to breathe.

The EP features some of London’s standout UK jazz players, with Sam Notman on drums, Benjamin Muralt on bass, and Jamie Pye on guitar. Their chemistry is immediate. Spiral opens the project with urgency and bite, built on an odd time framework that keeps the listener alert. Notman lays down a confident groove that never loosens its grip, while Muralt’s fast moving bass lines subtly bend the sense of time. Stewart floats and darts above it all, improvising with precision and curiosity, pushing the track forward without ever overcrowding it.

Acceptance shifts the mood without breaking the spell. It is calmer and more reflective, bringing Jamie Pye’s guitar voice into focus. The track leans into a lush, meditative space that nods toward the compositional world of Aaron Parks and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Stewart and Pye trade ideas gracefully, their solos unfolding patiently as Muralt and Notman respond with sensitivity and restraint. The result feels spacious, thoughtful, and deeply musical.

Beyond this release, Stewart’s background adds weight to the project. From his earlier EP Irresolute to his work with HUMMUCIDE, whose album Tides charted at number nineteen in New Zealand, he has consistently shown range and ambition. Live from Lloyd’s Place feels intimate yet confident, playful yet precise, and marks another strong chapter in Stewart’s evolving artistic story.