Our next concert is scheduled for Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 7:30pm.
The Shirley Smart Trio
Jazz on a Summer’s Evening – The Shirley Smart Trio.
The Shirley Smart Trio comprising Shirley Smart (cello), John Crawford (piano) and Demi Garcia Sabat (percussion) play jazz pieces influenced by a wide variety of genres.
Shirley Smart Trio
One of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, and a rare exponent of jazz cello, Shirley draws on a unique background to present a fresh, new approach to the cello. Her trio takes the listener on an improvised journey through a programme that weaves together classical music, jazz and world music from North Africa, Middle East, Balkans, and South America as well as original compositions.
The group features two of the UK’s leading lights in world-influenced jazz – John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion.
For further details visit https://www.shirleysmart.com/
ShirleySmart
Originally trained in classical cello 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 world music from the Mediterranean and Middle East, as well as being highly involved with the jazz and improvised music scene. 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, Omer Avital, Avishai Cohen, Neil Cowley, Julian Ferraretto, Robert Mitchell, Kosmos Ensemble, Shekoyokh, Maciek Pysz, Maurizio Minardi, and Alice Zawadski, as well as leading her own projects.
Shirley is also an active educator. She teaches Improvisation at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, is a Visiting Lecturer at City University, and has also given workshops for
Jazzlines, Birmingham, and Trinity Laban. She is also leading the London Cello Society’s new Beyo nd Cello division from 2016.Recent performances have included the Vortex Jazz Club, Wilton’s Music Hall, Brunel Museum, Green Note, Crouch End festival and Harfensommer Festival, Wurzburg in Germany. Upcoming performances include City University Music Society, and Kings Place, London as part of the Beyond Cello Festival.Website : www.shirleysmart.com
John Crawford
IMA nominated musician John Crawford was born in London of English/Spanish Parents. His father played Blues piano, and this is the first thing he learnt to play. His mother would introduce him to Latin music of all kinds, and he has gone on to perform at Montreal Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Getxo Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scotts, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the 606 club, and Royal Albert Hall amongst others. His 2012 release “Ulia River of Time” has been nominated in the USA by the Independent Music Awards for best album in the Jazz category.
In the Latin world he has worked with percussion legends Airto Moreira and Giovanni Hidalgo, Eumir Deodato, Ed Motta, Tito Allen, Herman Oliveira, Henry Fiol, Luis Felipe Gonzalez, Frankie Morales (Tito Puentes last singer), Jimmy Bosch, Bobby Matos, Adalberto Santiago, Luisito Carrion, Mariano Civico, Cano Estremera, Jack Costanzo, Nancy Abalos and Carlos Irigoyen, Maelo Ruiz, Johnny Blas, Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo, Orlando Watusi and Danny Silva, as well as UK based artists like Snowboy, Luna Cohen, Emily Saunders, Guida da Palma and Jazzinho, Negrocan, Sirius B, Manteca, Shantijazzworld, Nois, Liliana Chachian, Gustavo Marques, Jandira Silva, Mr Hermano, Orquesta La Clave, Roberto Pla, Robin Jones, Samara and Viramundo. He was also a founder member of the popular band Grupo X, and a member of the Pop/Jazz crossover project ISQ
Website : www.johncrawford.com
Demi Garcia Sabat
Originally from Barcelona, Spain Demi moved to the UK in 1999 to pursue his lifelong ambition of becoming a professional musician. Demi has worked as a freelance percussionist and drummer, specialising in Flamenco, Jazz, Arabic and Latin music. He performs regularly with a number of artists Alec Dankworth, Chris Garrick, Jorge Bravo, Nicolas Meier, Kuljit Bhamra, Lizzie Ball, Alejandra Burgos, Melange, Last summer’s tearlights, Javier Moreno & Los amigos, La Tipica, Flamenco Soul, Tormenta flamenca,, The Latin Bridge, Maria Vega, Crossroads Flamenco Blues, Trio Nova.. with music ranging from the traditional to the more experimental. He is well used to fusing flamenco/latin styles with many other genres, including jazz, arabic music and pop.
Adult admission: £12
Student and under 21s admission: £7
Accompanied children under 16: Free
Tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the concert, or via our ticketing partners (below).
Egham and District Music Club 