Sarah Gillespie Quintet

About this event

Sarah Gillespie is a critically acclaimed Anglo-American singer songwriter renowned for mixing blues, folk & jazz with her streetwise poetic lyrics. Her 4 albums received outstanding reviews from the UK press plus accolades from iconic musician Robert Wyatt.

She has toured extensively for the last 10 years and has performed live on leading BBC Radio programs (Woman's Hour, Start the Week and Loose Ends) as well as public radio in the USA reaching millions of listeners. Gillespie's most recent album 'Wishbones' was launched at London's Southbank Centre and received 5 star reviews and Album of the Year from the Arts Desk. Her debut collection of poetry and lyrics was published by Oxford's Albion Beatnik Publishing in 2018.

Tonight she will be performing with her stella band, described by Jazzwise as a crop of 'young jazz heavies' including Mercury Prize nominated composer Kit Downes - piano &
James Maddren - drums
Chris Montague - guitar
Ruth Goller - bass.

'Alive with her characteristic wit, savvy and sensitivity'. Album of the year.' The Arts Desk ★★★★★

'Like Dylan on amphetamines' The Financial Times ★★★★

'Her witty, free-flowing originals on Wishbones have a beat poet's eye for observation' Jazzwise ★★★★

'Superior lyrics & compositional acumen flourish in the hands of a truly powerful band.' R&R Magazine ★★★★★
5 Star Live Review of Pizza Express Jazz Club 18th Jan 2019 Close Up Culture.

'Haunting tunes and striking lyrics…yearningly pretty and bitter sweet' The Independent ★★★★★

‘Beat poet adventurer strays beyond the boundaries of singer-songwriter’ MOJO ★★★★
'Just beautiful' Robert Wyatt

'Her songs are beautiful, poetic artefacts' Mail on Sunday ★★★★

Gillespie, who joins Bob Dylan’s lyrical bite and languid delivery to the forthrightness of Joni Mitchell, with a little rap-like percussiveness thrown in, is an original. The Guardian ★★★★