Shirley Smart Trio @ Scarborough Jazz Festival

Trailblazing cellist Shirley Smart performs music from her acclaimed album ‘Long Story Short’ at this delightful venue in North London. Drawing on a mixture of influences from 10 years spent living in Jerusalem, jazz and a strong classical training including studies with Raphael Wallfisch and Janos Starker, Shirley is recognised as one of the UKs most innovative string players.

” Shirley Smart can now be considered one of the best improvising cellists in the UK” The Jazzmann
“…some of the most inventive use of the cello I have 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
‘Intense, lyrical and full of energy….A thrilling range on technique on display…Smart’s cello singing, snarling or pumping out bass lines….fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared” The Arts Desk
“Smarts playing is particularly remarkable….she readily demonstrates a wide range of techniques incorporating an understanding of improvisation drawn from a jazz background and her extensive knowledge of Arabic maqam…” Songlines