Nishla Smith, Blue Dream Review
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Nishla Smith is a jazz singer and composer, that also began her journey in classical music. The melding of both genres gives her a unique perspective as a composer. Her quintet simply titled, the Nishla Smith Quintet performs at NQ Jazz, The Vortex and Jazz Leeds. Her writing is varied in that she eloquently writes jazz, classical and cabaret pieced. In fact in September 2017, she was commissioned to write Cabaret for the Manchester Collective, which toured throughout the UK, was featured at the PUSH Festival, was performed live on BBC 3’s In Tune. After a summer residency at the Sage in Gateshead, she closed the year with shows at mjf, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Matt and Phred’s, and Band on the Wall. In 2018, after a visit home to play at MONA’s Summer Jazz Festival in Tasmania, and a sell-out show at Melbourne’s Paris Cat, she became one of Manchester Jazz Festival’s talent development artists, recording a debut EP which will be released later this year. Currently Smith is working on a commission for the Opera North. Until then her single “Blue Dream,” released March 27, 2019 is a flavorful piece that signals what is to come with her impending EP.
Positives:
A beautiful vocal style, equaled by convincing writing and an alluring video. Smith certainly has a full figured craftsmanship in her voice, writing and concepts.
Bottom Line:
“Blue Dream” is a heartfelt ballad that is filled with dour beauty. Smith delivers each note with a chocolatey hue. Her voice is crystalline and poignant as she weaves through well-crafted lyrics. A companion video that Smith conceived from all aspects is a sheer delight. Smith explains her vision, “I conceived, directed and styled the video. I had a concise visual ambition for the project: I wanted to create colour-blocked scenes of domesticity, arising incongruously out of the Northumberland wilds. I managed every element of the project: from conception, to location scouting, props, costumes and directing- on a teeny tiny budget! It was filmed and edited by Adam Blyth. The song was recorded with support from Manchester Jazz Festival's Talent Development Programme and features Andy Stamatakis-Brown (string arrangements/ piano), Simmy Singh (Violin I), eva þórarinsdóttir (Violin II), Sophia Dignam (Viola), William Hewer (Cello), Grant Russell (Double Bass).” The result is stunning, not only vocally does she capture your attention, but connecting the video to the elements of the song her vison is seamlessly conveyed. Well worth the listen. That’s the short of it!