Events
Tobie and Shirley present a programme to include Kodaly’s epic string duo, jazz standards and arrangements of original compositions drawing on their collective eclectic and diverse backgrounds in jazz, improvisation, classical and world music.
Tobie Medland – violin
London born Tobie Medland studied at the Royal College of Music, before continuing to study Composition and Philosophy at the University of Leeds. Tobie is known as the founder and curator the Gypsy Jazz Festival of London, and has performed with many of Europe’s leading figures in the Gypsy Jazz world, including Fapy Lafertin, Olli Soikelli and Dave Kelbie.
Tobie also leads their own trio, Skylark, and larger band The Aviary, which launched its first album at the Vortex jazz club in 2023.
Shirley Smart – cello
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 Guildhall School of Music, and Janos Starker in Paris, she is now a Professor of Musicianship and Improvisation at the Royal College of Music. Shirley spent 10 years in Jerusalem, studying and performing a wide variety of musical traditions from the region, and working with artists including Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital and Yasmin Levy. Since returning to the UK, she has quickly become established as a unique performer, and is in demand with artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Maya Youssef, Neil Cowley, and Robert Mitchell. She also leads her own projects and released her first trio album ‘Long Story Short’ in 2018 to critical acclaim.
Doors open 7.30pm. Music starts 8pm. The venue is mixed seated and standing. Tables are limited, and available on a first come first served basis, so if you’d like a seat, we recommend arriving early!
