Shirley Smart & Robert Mitchell
Release Date: 28 January 2022
Label: Discus Music
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5051078988825
Genres: Jazz Contemporary
Description
This beautiful release explores the varied musical backgrounds of jazz cellist Shirley Smart and pianist/composer Robert Mitchell, and the different relationships these musical paths have with improvisation. Both have a shared classical training, in which the absence of an improvisation became both a frustration and source of inspiration. Part of the story of this album lies in their different forms of searching for this lost aspect of the classical tradition, and also the journey of embracing it in other musical forms.
Robert is long established as one of the UKs finest jazz pianists and composers, and finds expression also through the medium of poetry to explore themes of his background. He also debuts here as a narrator of his own poetry, focussing on a response to the Windrush scandal and tribute to his mum and the search for global peace.
Shirley spent many years in the Middle East, where she also became involved with both jazz and Middle Eastern regional traditions and their forms of improvisation. Since returning to the UK, she has established a formidable reputation as one of the most versatile and creative cellists on the scene, drawing on her various influences as a root and basis for her musical work.
Both artists are also highly involved in music education. Shirley is Head of Performance at City University. Robert is Jazz Piano Professor at Guildhall School Of Music and Drama. This album brings together these different strands in each musician's journey, linked through the dialogic act of improvisation, to explore and re-explore their pasts and present.
Shirley Smart: cello
Robert Mitchell: piano, voice
Tracklisting
Army Of Briars
Keith Tippett & Matthew Bourne
Laura Jurd & Paul Dunmall
Theo May's Odd Unit
Charlotte Keeffe
Ron Caines / Martin Archer Axis
Keith & Julie Tippett - Couple In Spirit
The Exu
Sultan Stevenson
John Patitucci
Tommy Whittle & Alan Barnes
Xhosa Cole
John Clayton & Mulgrew Miller
George Cables
Sylvaine Helary & Orchestre Incandescent
The Exu
