Jazz at John's: Shirley Smart Trio

Fri 22 May

St John's College Old Divinity School

Shirley Smart is recognised as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists – being equally at home and well versed in jazz and Middle Eastern music, as well as classical music.

Drawing on a background of 10 years living in Jerusalem and working with the overlapping worlds of jazz, Arabic, Turkish and North African music, her trio brings these influences together in an evening of vibrant melodies, grooves, swing and lively improvisation. Showcasing her unique ability to explore the potential of the cello in a jazz context, performing multiple roles as bassist, lead and soloist on the instrument, and featuring also some of the UK’s leading lights in world-influenced jazz – John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion, this dynamic group promises and evening of inspired music-making

Originally trained under Raphael Wallfisch at the Guildhall School of Music, and Janos Starker in Paris, she subsequently moved to Jerusalem, where she remained for 10 years, studying and performing a wide variety of musical traditions from North Africa, Turkey and Middle East. She was also highly active on the jazz scene, working with artists including Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital and Yasmin Levy. Since returning to the UK, she has quickly become known as one of the most creative cellists on the music scene and has worked with many leading jazz and world music groups, including Antonio Forcione, Mulato Astatke, Neil Cowley, Julian Ferraretto and Robert Mitchell. She leads her own trio, with John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on drums, and band Melange.

Shirley is Professor of Musicianship and Improvisation at the Royal College of Music in London and Musician-in Residence at St. Johns College, Cambridge. She has also held posts at City, University of London and Kent University and is a visiting tutor for the National Youth Jazz Collective.

“Fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared“

The Arts Desk

‘A superb set – a sound world that is at once rooted in the ancient and traditional musics that it draws from in an utterly contemporary manner that also incorporates modern jazz.”Jazzviews

Cost: £18, Concession £12 College, member £5