The Two of Us is a light and joy-filled performance performed by a exciting duo comrprised of singer Claire Martin and pianist and vocalist Joe Stilgoe.

Performing lesser-known gems from the Great American songbook along with intimate pieces of their own, the two dazzled the audience with their chemistry, laughter and passion for their craft.

On entering Shirley Hall at the King’s School Canterbury there was an initial lack of intimacy.

However, this was overcome through Stilgoe and Martin's infectious charm and charisma which created an evening filled with expert musicianship along with engaging and delightful anecdotes.

Martin’s voice is so alluring and layered, it comes as no surprise that she has been named Best Vocalist at the British Jazz Awards an astonishing six times.

Stilgoe's expertise was also unmistakable, his dexterous fingers flying across the keys giving the impression we were in good hands.

His ability to improvise and the quality of his solos was only matched by her voice, the two perfectly complementing one another.

Indeed the two were a perfect pairing, demonstrated beautifully on Watch What Happens and their chemistry gave off a feeling of fun and laughter that proved infectious for the audience who lapped up Joe's dry humour and boyish charm.

Martin’s fantastic rendition of Love Is Here To Stay as well as a beautifully touching performance of Early to Bed were just two of the inspired song choices.

The real magic came from the smattering of tracks written by Stilgoe and Martin.

Martin's Witchcraft recorded with her late friend Sir Richard Rodney Bennet proved a lovely end to the first set.

It was Stilgoe's We Should Kiss which proved to be the highlight of the evening.

Its feeling of joy and fervour was only matched by the sincerity of his passion for the music, creating an atmosphere not out of place in 1920s New York.

This was beautifully followed by a rendition of another classic Who Said Gay Paree? by Cole Porter, its sadness and melancholy beautifully juxtaposing against the previous piece.

The two's versatility and eclectic mix of pieces, brought to life by her deeply bewitching voice and his extraordinary ability on the piano, inspired an atmosphere reminiscent of that of the Jazz Age.

Rufus Bouverie, part of the Canterbury Festival young critics scheme