SARAH GILLESPIE QUARTET FEAT. GILAD ATZMON

Tickets £8, Doors 7pm, Performance 8pm

Sarah Gillespie Quartet feat. Gilad Atzmon

Sarah Gillespie - guitar and vocals

Gilad Atzmon - accordion, sax and clarinet

Enzo Zirilli - drums

Ben Bastin - bass

Sarah Gillespie was born in London to an American mother and British father. She grew up in Norfolk, England – interspersed with numerous trips to Minnesota, where she soaked in the sounds of Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Cole Porter and early blues and jazz. From the age of 4, Sarah composed songs on piano, and then at 15 began playing guitar. At 18, she moved to the USA, busking in the streets and playing gigs.

On returning to London, she gained a first class degree in Film And Literature and an MA in Politics And Philosophy from Goldsmiths University. Supporting Ian Dury’s band The Blockheads at Ronnie Scotts one night, Sarah met the saxophonist and composer Gilad Atzmon and Gilad went on to produce Sarah’s critically acclaimed debut album Stalking Juliet (Egea). Sarah has since performed live on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, played festivals, jazz clubs, venues and Arts Centers across Britain and toured in Italy.

Described by Rock’n’Reel as ‘a bracingly eclectic mix of Beat poetry with jazz, folk and Middle Eastern elements’ Sarah’s music is a sonic reflection of the contemporary London street, a melting-pot mix of urban-folk stamped with her  trademark lyricism that knits everyday banter with raw poetry. Sarah’s quartet features Gilad Atzmon on accordion, clarinet and sax, Enzo Zirilli on drums and Ben Bastin on double bass.

“She’s an incandescent new presence who matches her imposing delivery with superior lyrics” The Guardian

“Haunting tunes and striking lyrics… yearningly pretty and bitter sweet.” The Independent

“A leftfield singer/songwriter… wry lyrics and sinuous melodies.” Mojo

“An astonishingly mature and accomplished début. Intelligent, poetic songs and wonderfully colourful arrangements” The Jazz Man

“A major new singer/songwriter… Sarah Gillespie is one of the most individual yet recognizable voices to emerge in some time.” All About Jazz