Thomas Laubhan Jazz Duo Album Release "Almost Like Being in Love"

Program Notes

This performance celebrates the release of Almost Like Being In Love, the debut album from jazz duo Thomas Laubhan and Silvan Joray. Featuring a curated selection of jazz standards, the album centers on themes of love and connection, offering fresh interpretations of classic melodies. With the warm, intimate pairing of trombone and guitar, the duo brings a rich, nuanced texture to the music—creating space for deep conversation and spontaneous expression throughout the set. This duo follows in a surprisingly deep historical lineage of guitar + trombone duos, with notable contributors being J.J. Johnson with Joe Pass, Bob Brookmeyer with Jim Hall, and contemporary performers Ed Neumeister with Karl Ratzer.

The standards presented in this concert will all be on the album (except the original composition) and feature many different styles of jazz, including ballad, latin, straight 8ths, and swing. Throughout the fall semester, the duo will release singles and videos of these standards, and in mid-November the album with the full collection of songs will be released.

Program

All of You by Cole Porter

Sweet and lovely by by Gus Arnheim, and Charles N. Daniels, and Harry Tobias

Time After Time by Jule Styne

Witchcraft by Cy Coleman

Ceora by Lee Morgan

Almost Like Being in Love by Frederick Loewe

Introspection by Thomas Laubhan

Performers

The duo consists of trombonist Thomas Laubhan and guitarist Silvan Joray. Thomas Laubhan, a faculty member at Bloomingdale School of Music, has appeared at many notable jazz clubs in NYC such as Birdland, Dizzy’s, and Iridium. His playing is noted for its warm, lush tone and modern style and can be heard playing with many groups around the New York City area, including the Ed Palermo Big Band, the Steven Maglio Big Band, the Stan Rubin Big Band, and with his own quartet. His quartet has recently celebrated the release of their album “Introspection,” now available on all streaming services.

Silvan Joray is a Swiss jazz guitarist and composer based in New York City, known for his innovative style and international presence. A prizewinner at the UNISA International Strings Competition and the Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition, he has performed at major jazz festivals across Europe, India, and Israel. His playing blends the openness of European jazz with the swing and depth of the American tradition, marked by a clear tone, rhythmic creativity, and extended techniques. His recent release Updraft has received international acclaim, with Jazzwise calling him “one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international scene.”

Photo Consent

By attending this event, you consent to the taking of photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, and/or other digital images or recordings during this event by staff, volunteers, or outside media. Bloomingdale School of Music (Bloomingdale) may use, edit, alter, copy, publish, and/or distribute those photos and recordings in any and all of its publications, including social media and web-based publications, and/or for any other lawful purpose, without payment, compensation, royalties, or other consideration. Bloomingdale bears no responsibility for any unauthorized use of images or recordings by a third party.

Pet Policy

Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere on the premises of the Bloomingdale School of Music, including inside the building, or in the backyard.

Exception will be made for service dogs. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by service animals specifically trained to perform a task or service.