The album is a special collection of arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions crafted to bring out hidden meanings in the songs. Fresh interactions, energetic improvisations and heartfelt story-telling are some of the key aspects of the duo. For this special night they are joined by the acclaimed British tenor saxophonist Tori Freestone. German jazz singer Miriam Ast and Spanish pianist Victor Gutierrez met just two years ago while studying for their masters at the Royal Academy of Music in London. It was an encounter that would become a key moment for both artists. Having played together just once, the two immediately discovered their common musical language. The Ast/Gutierrez Duo was born, and their success proves that they have taken the right step. In May 20177, after working together for only a year, they won the Best Vocalist Prize at the International Jazz Competition in Bucharest and later that year they were finalists of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Award. They have also been delighted by the constantly growing fan base at their concerts. In the same year, the duo launched a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign to finance their debut album Secret Songs, which Ast/Gutierrez are presenting here.
