Nishla Smith Quintet

Wednesday 1st June, 7pm
HEART
£7

 

As a part of the inaugural Leeds Jazz Festival, HEART is proud to be hosting the Nishla Smith Quintet in our Shire Oak Hall on the opening night of this 12-day festival showcasing all things jazz in our city.

Nishla is a singer and songwriter who defies easy categorisation: her live sets include a breathtaking variety of material, from celebrated originals to dark jazz standards and devastating ballads. Her often dreamy and melancholic aura is offset by an energetic and imaginative band of Manchester’s finest young contemporary improvisers.

In November 2021, Nishla released a debut album on Whirlwind Recordings. ‘Friends With Monsters’ is a narrative album set over one troubled night. Downbeat USA said of the release: "While Smith’s singing is an entrancing beauty of its own, the true trump cards are the lyrics and melodies... She creates a darkly gorgeous interior sonic world."

Nishla Smith Quintet have recently performed at Ronnie Scott’s, Vortex Jazz Club, Manchester and Lancaster Jazz Festivals and are recent alumni of Jazz North’s Northern Line.

Outside of her work with the quintet, Nishla is a prolific composer and collaborator. She’s made work for Opera North, Lancaster Jazz Festival and Manchester Collective, and is currently working on new music for East Neuk Festival and Manchester Jazz Festival.

Nishla Smith vocals, songs / Aaron Wood trumpet / Richard Jones piano / Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley bass / Johnny Hunter drums"

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