OPENING GIG OF THE EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

We are thrilled to present Robert Mitchell – SOLO to open the EFG London Jazz Festival at Karamel!

The award winning pianist/keyboard/poet player plays solo. A meeting of many worlds in the service of a singular voice. Acoustic, Electric (samples, drone), poetry, Classical, Jazz, Improv, left hand only, original pieces and those by some legends of music.

Robert Mitchell is one of the most significant voices in British jazz. Multi-faceted creator, pianist, keyboardist, composer, improviser, writer, poet and so much more. As Gilles Peterson put it “a very important, influential musician” and a relentless seeker and thinker, encompassing many art forms, musical genres and constantly pushing the envelope.

He has released 13 albums and will be narrating poetry from his second collection – ‘City Of Sanctuary’ (Common Tone Press). Robert is looking forward to this special show as its Robert’s first solo performance at Karamel. He will perform music from his previous solo albums, music by Geri Allen, Dave Holland, Federico Mompou, improv, left hand only originals, inside piano, and poetry.

Robert Mitchell is a throwback to the powerful tradition of artistic mastery in pursuit of transcendence. He is proud to have been a Steinway artist for over a decade. He was MD on the successful BBC4 television programme ‘Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only’ which won the British Broadcasting Award. He has played with Billy Harper, Greg Osby, Courtney Pine CBE, Alicia Olatuja, Orphy Robinson, Steve Coleman, Phil Ranelin, Omar Puente, Ernesto Simpson, Daymé Arocena, Jason Rebello, Shirley Smart, Basement Jaxx, Dub Colossus, Daniel Casimir, Joshua Redman, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, and many others. Robert Mitchell’s works have been performed by the Grammy-winning Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and the London Sinfonietta, amongst others. He is a sought-for composer and known as an innovator with a distinct, unique voice. Robert is Professor of Piano (Guildhall. School Of Music And Drama – Jazz Dept), Principal Piano Lecturer (Leeds Conservatoire) and teacher at YMM.

“Robert Mitchell’s TRUE THINK were absolutely incredible at Marsden Jazz Festival — searing musicianship and precisely declaimed poetry combined with a rich instrumental palette and impeccable ensemble playing, all punctuated by epic, euphoric improvisation. Life changing stuff.” * *Barney Stevenson, Artistic Director, Marsden Jazz Festival 2022**

“Robert Mitchell has created an innovative but also accessible set of material on this album. It captures very successfully various elements of the current contemporary British music scene.” Tony Dudley-Evans, London Jazz News

‘Robert Mitchell is one of Britain’s finest and most versatile pianist-composer-improvisors’ * *The Wire Magazine**

Listen to album ‘The Weaver’

Doors open 7pm, music from 8pm.