A NIGHT OF HUMOUR AND HARMONY WITH NISHLA SMITH

By Sophie Clark | Muck Rack Portfolio | Press Invite

Nishla Smith bounded up onto the Ronnie Scott’s main stage in a billowing pink chiffon dress, bringing along with her a breeze of fresh air and the stature of old-school jazz diva to the iconic London venue. 

Despite her fresh-faced persona and her young band-mates, it is clear that Nishla has a deep appreciation and respect for those who came before her. Legends on Ronnie Scott’s mainstage have included Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, to name a few, and Nishla appeared very much respectful of, as well as deserving of, her place alongside them in this space.  

The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award winner opened her set with a song from her first album: Friends With Monsters. A deep insight into her relationship with insomnia, with some twists and turns into hilarity. 

Something you need to know about Nishla is although she exudes an aura of classical jazz in her vocals and instrumentation, her song writing is incredibly relatable for her generation, and at times jaw-droppingly funny.

NISHLA SHOWCASED HER INCREDIBLE VOCAL RANGE AND CAPACITY FOR JAZZ TONALITY

As a songwriter with a penchant for telling stories, she had some beautifully pithy things to say, such as “falling again and again like I’m new to my legs” and “with the winter’s bitter, all things went south.” She also sang a hysterical observation about the ego and the sound of a soda can. You have to be there to hear it. 

She said at the top of her set that many of her songs are new, and at times her set definitely felt like it needed some ironing out. Although she is confident in her lyrics and lyricism, she appeared to still be finding her voice on some of her newer songs, and her band – which is also new – did not always appear to be on the same page when it came to tone.

Her saxophonist was playing smooth jazz solos while her trumpet player was going to a more experimental tone which did not necessarily fit the energy around her. That said, her pianist and long-time collaborator, Tom Harris was on top form. I hope he gets more solos and stage time in future shows, as, other than Nishla, he was really holding the band together with his keyboard instrumentations. 

Nishla sang her own songs as well as a few jazz standards which really showcased her incredible vocal range and capacity for jazz tonality. During the standards her love for jazz shone through, and the audience was ecstatic after her rendition of Nat King Cole’s Smile. 

Her new album will be coming out in 2025. If you enjoy funny, relatable, introspective song writing, then it is definitely for you. I’m very much looking forward to hearing the finished versions of the songs she was able to work out at Ronnie Scott’s.

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