Shirley Smart

Shirley Smart is one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, and a rare exponent of jazz cello, bringing a fresh, new approach to the instrument. Originally classically trained in the UK and Paris, her decade studying and performing in Jerusalem widened her repertoire considerably. Subsequently, her music is a mesmerising improvised journey of classical, jazz and world music from North Africa, Middle East, Balkans and South America, alongside her own exhilarating compositions.

Her many credits include Antonio Forcione, Nikki Yeoh, Mulato Astatke, Avishai Cohen, Robert Mitchell, Maurizio Minardi, and Alice Zawadski. Shirley is also a highly respected educator, with posts including the Royal College of Music, City University and Trinity Laban.

Her trio features two of the UK’s leading lights in world-influenced jazz – Liam Dunachie on keyboard and Simon Roth on percussion.