Two of Australia's most recognized and awarded jazz talents, Gian Slater and Jamie Oehlers, have been collaborating on various projects over the past 5 years. In February this year they entered the studio with their regular Melbourne based rhythm section of Paul Grabowsky, Ben Robertson and Dave Beck to record an album of Gian's originals, as well as some of their uniquely arranged covers from artists as diverse as Paul Simon and Rodgers and Hart. This is a sublime album that combines their unique talents; from Gian's hauntingly beautiful, original and sometimes minimalistic vocals to Jamie's firebrand intensity and virtuosity.

Prolific Vocalist/Composer, Gian Slater is known for her agile and pure voice, virtuosic improvisations and inventive compositions.  She has released six albums - In my head(2005), Our Galaxy EP (2007), Creatures at the Crossroads (2008) as well as Empathy Chip- Sylent Running (2009, Gone without Saying- Gian Slater and Invenio (2011) and Still, still (2012).  She was a finalist in the prestigious Freedman Fellowship (2004, 2010), National Jazz Awards (2005), and the Bell Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album (2010) and was the MJFF Apra Composers Commission winner (2010).  She recently received the Australia Council's Creative Australia Fellowship (2012). In 2010, Gian formed her vocal ensemble Invenio , who have performed two of Gian's major works -Gone, without saying and Us and Others,  as well as Barney McAll's large work Graft, recorded and released in 2012. She has also performed and recorded with artists from established NY vocalists, Theo Bleckmann and Kate McGarry to treasured Australian singer/songwriter, Lior.  Gian lectures at the Victorian College of the Arts, Monash University and NMIT.

Recognized as one of Australia's leading jazz musicians, Jamie Oehlers was the winner of the World Saxophone Competition and has won numerous awards in Australia, including an Australian Jazz Award for Best Australian Jazz Artist as well as three for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, a Limelight Award for "Best Jazz Release", a James Morrison Scholarship, a Western Australian Music Industry Award for International Achievement, has been nominated for an Australian Young Achiever of the Year Award and has twice been a finalist in the Australian Recording Industry Awards for Best Jazz Album. He has performed throughout the world with international jazz artists like Ari Hoenig, George Garzone, Charlie Haden, Eric Harland, Reuben Rogers, Aaron Goldberg, Geri Allen, Robert Hurst, Ronnie Scott, Jamie Cullum and Cindy Blackman, has recorded 10 albums as a leader and has maintained his own festival and club appearances with the Jamie Oehlers Quartet, Lost and Found, the Paul Grabowsky Sextet and Blowfish.

With Tal Cohen (piano), Dave beck (drums) and Ben Robertson (bass)

Free tracks: "Smile" and title track "Differences"

For more on Gian click here

For more on Jamie click here