Duo meshes styles with magical results> Higbie, Trull to bring reunion to Blue Hill

Barbara Higbie and Teresa Trull are together again … naturally.

The critically acclaimed duo, who appear at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Left Bank Cafe in Blue Hill, each have had successful careers apart, both solo and performing with others.

Higbie, a pianist, violinist, composer, songwriter and producer, is best known as the pianist-composer for Montreux, the acoustic jazz group featuring her ex-husband, Darol Anger, and has recorded five albums for Windham Hill.

With three gold albums and a Grammy nomination, she has appeared on more than 40 albums and performed with artists including the Kronos Quartet and Rob Wasserman. Her latest release, “I Surrender,” was named one of the Top 12 Independent Releases of 1997 by Performing Songwriter Magazine.

An accomplished producer of more than 30 albums, Trull, who sings in a gospel-blues style, has made five of her own recordings, including pairings with Higbie (1983’s “Unexpected) and Cris Williamson (1990’s “Country Blessed”). She has been named Best Producer of an Independent Album at the New York Music Awards.

But when they get together, something magical happens.

“It’s a chemistry thing,” Higbie explained from her California home. “She’s such a strong singer and I’m a strong instrumentalist. I’m a good singer and she’s a good instrumentalist. We both can do a lot, and put on a strong show. Also, we both have a good sense of humor, so it’s lively and fun.”

The pair played together from the release of “Unexpected” in 1983 through 1986, then went on a reunion tour in 1991-92. Then they hooked up again a year ago.

“In the ’80s, I was involved in the Windham Hill stuff, while Teresa went more in a rock direction,” Higbie recalled. “After the last time, we were both sick of touring, and both wanted to make our lives more complete. Teresa focused on her horse training and also did a lot of production. I was doing composing and living off the royalties. Now we’re both into traveling, and being performers again.”

Higbie and Trull released a new album, “Playtime,” last year, on Higbie’s own Slowbaby Records label. The duo enjoyed that experience.

“It’s been really creatively exciting to have my own label,” Higbie said. “With the production and distribution systems available, you can do it yourself and do better financially than in the past.”

They still have their own side projects. Higbie is recording a piece for the “Windham Hill Winter Solstice Sampler,” and is working on a solo recording of music by mystics. Trull has produced another 1 1/2 albums since “Playtime,” and performs solo shows.

The pair is in the midst of a 40-city tour. They go out for a short period of time, then return home.

“We’re being adult about it,” Higbie said. “We’ve recharged our batteries. We can’t pull the all-nighters we used to, but overall we’re in better shape.”

For reservations to Higbie and Trull’s Left Bank Cafe show, call 374-2201. They also play at 8 p.m. April 15 at Jonathon’s in Ogunquit 646-4777.