Nishla Smith

Vocalist and songwriter Nishla Smith has established herself as one of the most distinctive voices in UK jazz – a natural storyteller whose music balances intimacy, imagination and emotional depth. This special concert celebrates the launch of her new album, it’s getting late you’d better go home, released on Whirlwind Recordings in 2026.

Written during a time of personal upheaval, the album explores belonging, absence and the shifting spaces between closeness and distance. Musically, it moves effortlessly from gospel warmth to bossa rhythms, bluesy swagger and Bacharach-style harmony – all anchored by Nishla’s luminous, unmistakable voice.

She is joined by a hand-picked quintet of close collaborators: Tom Harris (piano), Josh Vadiveloo (bass), Kai Chareunsy (drums), and Olivia Cuttill (trumpet). Expect elegant songwriting, subtle improvisation and the quiet command of an artist at the height of her storytelling powers.

Nishla is a Peter Whittingham Jazz Award Winner, International Songwriting Competition Award Winner and an alumni of London Jazz Festival’s flagship Take Five programme. She played the titular bird in Atri Banerjee’s production of ‘Kes’, for which she won a UK Theatre Award, and performed ‘The Jazz Singer’ in ‘A Taste of Honey’ at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. She is currently writing a stage musical with Australian producers Antipodes Theatre and support from the Stephen Oliver Award, and has spent the last year touring internationally, performing debut shows in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Thailand and Norway.

it’s getting late you’d better go home was made with support from Arts Council England’s Lottery Projects Fund, and released on Whirlwind Recordings in Spring 2026.