Lounge bar performers are often depicted as the washed-up pianist belting out Tom Jones classics or the big-haired female vocalist crooning Broadway hits.
But Nouveau Duo are putting some style back into the genre. The resident act at the New World Harbour View's Oasis is well aware the lounge bar act is often perceived as out of date.
Vocalist Teresa Duncan and keyboard player and saxophonist Wayne Clarke keep themselves out of the lounge-lizard mode with a highly diverse repertoire. The duo perform everything from the country hit Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus to a stellar version of Billie Holliday's God Bless The Child. In between, there are equally striking renditions of soul classics by Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight, and contemporary hits by the likes of Mariah Carey.
'You have to adjust to where you're at, especially when you're in an international market,' said Clarke. 'If you can pull off different types of music from any era, the audience seem to have more respect for you.' The varied repertoire was a drastic change for Duncan though, who before working with Clarke had been playing almost exclusively R&B.
'When I got with Wayne he said 'well, we're going to do some country'. Never in my life would I have thought of singing country. I actually enjoy it now. He has really broadened my horizons.' Clarke and Duncan came together five years ago in Colorado. After spending three and a half years travelling across the United States, the duo settled in Las Vegas. Seven months ago they came to Hong Kong to play at Oasis.
The pair, both 39, have played in larger bands and found there are several advantages to working as a duo.
'I don't miss the headache of guys not showing up for work, guys fighting over the same girl, the headache of baby-sitting people. I like the control,' said Clarke.
