The element of surprise is one of the key factors that separates a piece of art from countless others and leaves us bewildered. The track “Bloom” by tap dancer Melinda Sullivan and pianist/composer Larry Goldings is such a piece of art. From its composition to the music video, “Bloom” hits all the right spots visually and aurally.

Larry Goldings is a jazz keyboardist and composer who explores funk, blues, and fusion elements in his music. His melodic style of organ playing is regarded as one of the best in the world. His continuing search for inspiration led him to tap dancer Melinda Sullivan, a rhythmically brilliant dancer in the traditional tap scene and the commercial world.

Their serendipitous meeting in 2019  sparked a shared desire to explore an uncharted landscape of artistic expression. After the pandemic, they started performing together and so did their journey as collaborators.

The result of this collaboration is their recently released album “Big Foot.” “Bloom,” a track from the album, entails the common sentiment they bonded over a love of musical theatre. Goldings’ piano provides a melodic foundation in this dialogical track, while Sullivan’s taps add rhythmic complexity.

This funky and dreamlike AMV is an immaculate visualisation of the aural wizardry. The video focuses on vibrantly colourful flowers, symbolising joy and pleasure. In every frame, the vibrant colours of flowers are in an enchanting contrast with the pitch-black cityscape and merging galaxies.

“Bloom,” as a song, defies easy categorisation. The artistry and innovation displayed in blending music and dance and its captivating music video make “Bloom” a standout piece of art.