The Nishla Smith Quartet

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Nishla Smith Quartet

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.

Tonight she is joined by some of the most venerated musicians in the Melbourne  jazz scene: Mark Fitzgibbon (piano), Ben Hanlon (bass) and Danny Fischer (drums). Expect elegant songwriting, subtle improvisation and the quiet command of an artist at the height of her storytelling powers.

“In an era of relentless brightness, Smith has made a record that trusts shadows… Late night music for an overlit age.” THE NATIONAL POST

 "Intimate, cinematic, and richly immersive, this is an album that grows with every listen and confirms Smith as a singular storytelling voice." ★★★★ JAZZWISE

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.

NISHLA SMITH
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. After launching her new album at Ronnie Scott’s in London, she performed debut shows throughout Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Norway, and China, including a debut at Blue Note Beijing.   MARK FITZGIBBON Mark Fitzgibbon has been a long time part of the Melbourne jazz scene since the late 1970s who then moved to London in the ‘80s for seven years and was very busy playing with a wide range of musicians including Ronny Scott, Tina May, Clarke Tracey and Alan Barnes. He returned to Australia in the 1990’s performing and recording as a sideman and leading his own groups before spending four years living and performing in Shanghai before returning once again to Australia. A winner of the National Jazz Awards, coming first place in 1991 he is renowned for his incredible facility and speed on the piano as well as being a fine composer.

BEN HANLON
As a renowned jazz musician Ben performs regularly at Australia’s premier venues with many of the finest jazz musicians including James Morrison, Joe and Olivia Chindamo, Paul Grabowsky, Michelle Nicole, Carl Mackey, Matt Jodrell, Julien Wilson, Phil Noy, Mark and Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Paul Williamson(s), Sam Keevers, Sam Bates, Lance Ferguson’s Menagerie and Danny Fischer. He is also a permanent member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has performed at numerous Melbourne International Jazz festivals, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and Melbourne Music Week events. Ben has released two celebrated albums ‘Duo’ and ‘Stravinsky’ with James Sherlock and ‘Under Paris Skies’ with Hetty Kate. As one third of the Hue Blanes Trio alongside Danny Farrugia he performed in Hue Blanes’ 2017 MIJF performance for the ‘PBS Young Elder of Jazz Award’ as well on as their debut album release ‘Straight Chaser’ with Pound records. Ben has been also a member of revered Melbourne bebop institution Bopstretch since 2018. Ben features on Fem Belling’s Age Victoria Music Awards nominated album ‘Now/then’, Nathan Slater’s debut, and several releases by the celebrated Luke Howard

DANNY FISCHER
Danny Fischer is one of Australia’s most in-demand jazz drummers and educators, widely respected for his depth of experience across performance, recording, and teaching. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne), Fischer established an extensive national career, collaborating with leading Australian and visiting international artists and appearing on over thirty recordings.

In 2004, Fischer relocated to New York, where he became an active figure in the city’s jazz and improvised music scene. During this time, he co-founded the cooperative quartet Spoke, releasing three critically acclaimed albums and touring extensively throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. He was also a member of Bryan and the Haggards and Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord, and performed regularly with Bill Lee’s Natural Spiritual Orchestra and Ben Stapp’s Zozimos Collective.

While in New York, Fischer undertook invitation-only mentorship with master drummer Michael Carvin, an experience that continues to shape his musical and teaching philosophy. Now based in Australia, he remains an active performer, recording artist, and highly regarded drum educator, and is a proud endorser of Canopus Drums.

Rating

E

Duration

120 min