Description

An extension of the trio into a sextet, Shirley's new sextet project further explores her influences in a larger-scale

line-up:
SHIRLEY SMART - cello
TIM QUICKE - trumpet
JAMES ARBEN - tenor sax/flute
JOHN CRAWFORD - piano
MIKELE MONTOLI - bass
DEMI GARCIA SABAT - drums/Percussion


?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

?... covers an impressive amount of musical and geographical ground with its range of styles and influences. Smart?s playing, both with and without the bow, is exceptional throughout....a stunning pizzicato solo, her playing reminiscent of a top jazz bassist. And she?s pretty handy with the bow too! The JazzMann

'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


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.
Originally trained under Raphael Wallfisch at the Guilldhall 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 the 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, Gilad Atzmon, Neil Cowley, Julian Ferraretto, Robert Mitchell, and Alice Zawadski.

She leads her own trio, with John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on drums, and band Melange.

Shirley is Head of Performance and a Lecturer in Music at City University, and also teaches Improvisation and Jazz at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. She is a visiting tutor for the National Youth Jazz Collective, and an in demand workshop leader.

Description

A pub and music bar on the perimeter of Cambridge Circus, at the corner of Romilly Street and Moor Street. First licensed in 1686 as the George, the current building dates from 1898 and the current name from 1986. (One of the old names, Cantons, can be seen being held by one of the gargoyles on the top of the building).

Famous in the 1960s and 70s for folk music and then punk, latterly it has become a jazz venue and home to SpiceJazz club. Up to 5 real ales from the McMullen range on offer and free admission to the main bar but you may have to pay for some music gigs in the basement.

Upstairs at the Spice is for drinks, eats and good times. Enjoy Great British classics with special seasonal dishes prepared daily by our chefs.

6 Moor Street,

Soho,

City of Westminster,

Greater London,

England,

W1D 5NA.

020 7437 7013