Shirley Smart Trio

A Fusion of Jazz and Global Soundscapes to Create An Evening of Vibrant Melodies, Grooves and Swing

Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing musicians and composers, Shirley Smart is equally at home and well versed in jazz, blues, folk, middle eastern and world music, as well as classical music. Drawing upon 10 years of living and working in Jerusalem where she embraced the overlapping worlds of jazz, Arabic, Turkish and north African music, her musicality is enriched by this tapestry of influences.

Inspired by her eclectic background, the trio promises an evening of vibrant melodies, grooves, swing and lively improvisation, showcasing Shirley’s unique ability to explore the potential of the cello in jazz and world-music contexts, performing multiple roles as bassist, lead and soloist on the instrument. Accompanying Shirley, the trio features John Crawford, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists who shares Shirley’s interest in Latin and world-influenced jazz, and long term collaborator and flamenco master Demi Garcia Sabat on drums and percussion. The trio has toured extensively in the UK and Europe; recent highlights include the Cheltenham and London Jazz Festivals, Vivacello Festival (Moscow) and Biennale Festival Bimhuis (Amsterdam).

Reviews:

‘Intense, lyrical and full of energy….A thrilling range of technique on display…Smart’s cello singing, snarling or pumping out bass line….Fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared’ The Arts Desk

‘..some of the most inventive use of the cello I’ve heard for some time.’ Kind of Jazz

‘As a cellist-composer she morphs seamlessly from Stephane Grappelli like swing and Bird-like bebop…..a charming kaleidoscope and jazzy showcase of her global folk music-inspired compositions’ Jazzwise

‘A superb set – a sound world that is at once rooted in the ancient and traditional music that it draws from in an utterly contemporary manner…’ Jazzviews