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We’re extremely honoured to be hosting a unique performance of the Dorothy Ashby songbook by no other than the Tori Handsley Trio on Sunday 4th June, downstairs at the Total Refreshment Centre.

Composer, arranger and performer, Tori has worked with artists including Nigel Kennedy, Shabaka Hutchings and Orphy Robinson and is renowned for her unique take on the harp. Needless to say, we couldn’t be more excited that she’s performing the work of jazz legend Dorothy Ashby.

Dorothy Ashby, was an American jazz harpist and composer who established the harp as an improvising jazz instrument, beyond earlier use as a novelty or background orchestral instrument. Her talents showcased the fact the harp could play bebop as adeptly as a saxophone. Never pure jazz jazz, her albums often moved into R&B, world music and other styles.

The Tori Handsley Trio is a contemporary, electric-harp led trio which draws upon a myriad of rock, jazz, reggae and latin influences, taking the harp into a new context, using FX pedals and showcasing an entirely unique sound alongside two of the most creative, ground-breaking leaders on their instruments, Ruth Goller ((Acoustic Ladyland, Melt Yourself Down, Rokia Toure, Let Spin) & Moses Boyd (Winner MOBO Award 2015, Steve Reid Innovation Award, Floating Points, 4tet, Binker & Moses).

Two sets will be played on the night, one of Dorothy Ashby and one of Tori's original compositions.
The first set starting at 21:00 sharp.

Food will be served on the night too!
Menu TBA.

Doors 6pm

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She is without doubt steadily becoming one of the most exciting and original musicians on the UK scene."
Orphy Robinson, Musician (Blue Note

“Tori Handsley took the harp into unexplored territory with her open-minded, mesmerizing post-EST compositions and freely improvising young trio at Soho's Spice of Life.”
Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise.

"I've seen her live a couple of times, she's played down at Jazz in the Round at the Cockpit theatre and she is really, really fascinating to watch... you don't really get that many harp players in jazz and to sit up close and watch her working what must be a really difficult instrument to master, is a joy indeed."
Jez Nelson - from his show 'Somethin Else' Jazz FM

"I first met Tori Handsley through the radical Warriors International 'FREEDOM! The Art Of Improvisation' sessions. Her punky attitude and bold approach to the harp led me to working with her on the 'Enlightenment - In The Spirit Of 'A Love Supreme' concerts. Tori's radical new trio is built around her own carefully crafted compositions and features excellent electric bassist Ruth Goller and in-demand trap drummer Moses Boyd. This threesome joins a new generation of trios, like GoGo Penguin, who are pioneering new dimensions, expanding expectations and successfully reaching out to fresh audiences. Time to check them out."
Paul Bradshaw, Straight No Chaser - Former Editor/Publisher; Ancient to Future.