Ben Stewart - Live from Lloyd’s Place (EP)

New Zealand-born, London-based keyboardist and producer Ben Stewart returns with a focused and expressive new EP built around two contrasting originals, Spiral and Acceptance. Together, the tracks explore a clear emotional duality, tension and release, stress and calm, while remaining firmly rooted in Stewart’s modern UK jazz sound world.

The EP brings together a tight knit lineup of London jazz talent, with Sam Notman on drums, Benjamin Muralt on bass and Jamie Pye on guitar. Recorded in Finsbury Park by renowned drum recording specialist Lloyd Haines, the EP has a polished, world-class sound that captures both power and nuance.

Spiral is an uptempo, odd metre workout driven by rhythmic precision and sharp interaction, with Notman’s assertive groove anchoring the track from the outset. In contrast, Acceptance opens up a more spacious, meditative landscape, introducing Pye’s rich sonic palette and allowing the group to explore texture as much as time. Stewart and Pye’s solos unfold patiently, weaving melodic ideas shaped by Muralt and Notman’s responsive interplay.

A live video of Acceptance accompanies the release, offering a visual snapshot of the group’s chemistry and the reflective mood at the heart of the track.

This EP follows Stewart’s 2021 release Irresolute and sits alongside his work in jazz rock outfit HUMMUCIDE, as well as his live house project Willy Delphia. As both bandleader and sideman, Stewart continues to carve out a versatile and quietly distinctive space within London’s jazz scene.