ABOUT the artists

Jenny lu

Jenny Lu is a pianist and associate artist based in Melbourne, Australia. She has completed her Masters research candidature at Monash University, under the tutelage of Drs Joel Crotty and Tamara Smolyar. Her research concerns the concept of narrativity in music and the compositions of the Anglo-Russian composer, Nikolai Medtner. Jenny also holds an LMusA in piano performance. 

Jenny performs as a soloist and a chamber musician with an array of repertoire and is always grateful for more along her journey through the labyrinth of music. Since 2023, Jenny enjoys performing with Hobart-based bass trombonist James Littlewood, often featuring their own arrangements and contemporary repertoire for their unique chamber pairing. Jenny’s repertoire embraces a diverse palette of musical styles with an interest in music of the 20th -21st Centuries, works of living composers, the compositions of the lesser-known composers and forgotten gems from more familiar names that have not been frequently played. 

Jenny’s performance, research and musical interpretation have been recognised with scholarships, prizes, at international conferences and acknowledged by international research associations such as the Nikolai Medtner Society. She has had the pleasure to perform at various prestigious venues such as the Melbourne Recital Centre and Tempo Rubato as well as live broadcasts on 3MBS. Jenny has recently delivered a lecture recital on musical narrativity. Jenny is the secretary of the Camberwell Music Society. This year, she will continue to perform, research and teach.

james littlewood

James Littlewood is a bass trombonist with a passion for connecting people through music. Originally from Melbourne, he joined the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as a permanent member in 2025 and enjoys performing in a variety of ensembles across the Bass Strait. He is a graduate of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. 

When James first saw his teacher-to-be play the trombone in a primary school assembly, he was immediately drawn to it. Several years later he began to find his voice on the bass trombone, and continues to love its versatility across many different styles of music. Alongside his orchestral playing, James is an avid chamber musician. Upon completion of his studies at ANAM he was the recipient of the 2022 Gwen Nisbet Music Scholarship, which he used to pursue his interest in contemporary classical music, improvisation and commissioning of new Australian works with his trio Labyrinth. He also enjoys performing regular recitals with Melbourne-based pianist Jenny Lu, often featuring their own original arrangements and transcriptions for a unique pairing of instruments. The vast possibilities for the bass trombone continue to inspire James to explore the many different styles and roles he can play as a musician, sharing music and connecting with many different people.