Steinway 2-Piano Festival

Robert Mitchell & Ashley Henry

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Last Show: Friday 18 th March 2022

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Steinway Artist Robert has released nine albums of his own projects, participated in a myriad of international projects as a sideman and has performed in 40 countries. These days his primary focal points include his long-running ensemble Panacea; his trio Epiphany 3 with special guest dancer Masumi Endo, new electronic/song ensemble TRUE THINK (Truth Inc./Truth Ink), solo performance (including a fascination with one-handed works, which produced one solo album and festival - Leftitude - in 2013). He also continues to work with French saxophone great Julien Lourau, brilliant US singer Alicia Olatuja, UK giant Courtney Pine CBE, Cuban violinist legend Omar Puente, vibes master Orphy Robinson and in duos with Shirley Smart and Jason Rebello. He has recently recorded on albums/eps by Julien Lourau, the legendary Courtney Pine CBE, US sax firebrand James Brandon Lewis and bass phenom Yolanda Charles.

Tonight is a debut performance with Ashley Henry. Following the success of 30-year-old Ashley Henry’s Easter EP, genre-blurring UK pianist returns in force with his Debut album Beautiful Vinyl Hunter. Having recently embarked on world tours with Loyle Carner and Christine & The Queens, Henry has a rapidly growing international profile.

"The astonishing Robert Mitchell, familiar as the pianist and MD for the recent ‘BBC Four celebrates Jazz 625 For One Night Only’, took the keyboard apart in every sense of the word. He uses both hands and sometimes cross-hands with equal force to build solos of unbelievable depth and complexity. Urged on by his fellow players and the awe-struck audience, his playing became ever more audacious as the evening progressed."

thejazzmann.com

Robert Mitchell

His latest album ‘A Vigil For Justice. A Vigil For Peace.’ (2017) and ep 'Epiphany' (2018) - are for piano trio and features extensive original poetry inspired by the rapid political change in atmosphere in recent times, against the backdrop of so much unrealised human potential and vast inequalities. The poetry features amongst a debut collection published separately in 2017. In 2014 - his first large scale work - Invocation - was successfully performed by the grammy winning Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Goldsmith Big String and students from Avonbourne and Harewood at St Peters Church (Bournemouth) and the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London). Robert has two new albums due for release - a live improvised solo piano album, and the debut from True Think (featuring a number of international guests). Robert also worked as MD on a BBC4 tribute to the great 60s TV show - Jazz 625 Live:For One Night Only (performing with Joshua Reman and Jacqui Dankworth and featuring Gregory Porter). It has been nominated for the Broadcast Awards 2020 (alongside Stormzy and the Brits). He has also recently recorded music and poetry with great cellist Shirley Smart.

Ashley Henry

The album has been NOMINATED FOR BBC 6 MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2019 a powerful statement as the only Jazz Album to feature across the 2019 nominations. The album offers a journey into the visionary mind of one of UK’s most creative talents, the highly anticipated material draws on a brew of influences - jazz, beats, hip-hop, and grime. With amazing collaborations Makaya McCraven, Moses Boyd, 

Cinematic Orchestra, Judi Jackson, Keyon Harrold & Jaimie Branch.

Gilles Peterson "It's just incredible"                                                                 

Clash Magazine "A triumph in every sense"                                                    

Evening Standard "The ultimate piano player"