Sarah Gillespie
Critically acclaimed, Anglo-American songstress Sarah Gillespie is renowned for mixing jazz, blues and folk with her trademark streetwise poetic lyrics. Her 5 albums received outstanding reviews from the UK press and she has toured extensively for the last 15 years, performing in leading venues and festivals in Europe, the UK and USA including Blue Note (Milan) Ronnie Scott's (London) CBGB’s (NYC) and sold out shows at the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room. She's played live on BBC Radio 4’s Woman's Hour (twice), Loose Ends and Start the Week - where she was invited to discuss the role of politics in the arts. (Sarah has an MA in Philosophy and Politics).
Tonight Sarah is showcasing brand new songs from her upcoming album with renowned composer and guitarist Chris Montague. The rest of the band features 'regulars' Tom Cawley-piano; James Maddren-drums; Conor Chaplin-bass & Emma Divine-backing vocals.
In addition, Argentine–German singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist Chiara Dammann will open the show. Trained in classical and jazz music at Goldsmiths, University of London, her songwriting blends technical finesse with intimate, emotionally deft pop-folk sensibilities. Tonight Chaira will be debuting songs from her new project to be released on Sarah Gillespie’s label, Pastiche Records.
"Haunting tunes and striking lyrics…yearningly pretty and bittersweet" The Independent ★★★★★; "Joni Mitchell with a little rap-like percussiveness thrown in, Gillespie is an original" The Guardian ★★★★; "Like Dylan on amphetamines" The Financial Times ★★★★; "Beat poet adventurer strays beyond the boundaries of singer-songwriter" MOJO ★★★★; "Alive with her characteristic wit, savvy and sensitivity'. Album of the Year." The Arts Desk ★★★★★; "Her songs are beautiful, poetic artefacts" Telegraph ★★★★ "Just beautiful" Robert Wyatt