Rommi Smith and Fruit Tree Project
Rommi Smith performs and sings poems from Mornings and Midnights. A poetic homage to the lives and stories of Jazz and Blues singers – set to original jazz music composed and performed by Fruit Tree Project.
When legendary diva Gloria Silver reads her obituary in a national paper, she feels that the forgetfulness of the world has gone too far. And so begins the journey of telling the world she is still alive; a journey in which she shares the secrets and stories of the other, famous, Jazz and Blues singers whom she knew and loved; a journey of triumph and tragedy, which ultimately leads, not a revival of her fortunes, but to a deeper understanding of herself.
Rommi Smith is a poet and playwright who work to fuse spoken word and music. Most recently, she was Poet in Residence for Keats’ House, former home of the Romantic poet, John Keats.
Performing spoken and sung poems from Mornings and Midnights, her chapbook of poems inspired by the lives of Jazz and Blues singers, [a Poetry Book Society Choice], this performance is a collaboration with The Fruit Tree Project, a contemporary jazz band featuring the compositions of band leader/pianist Dave Evans.
www.rommi-smith.co.uk
‘There is a place where the political, the spiritual, the musical and the beautiful come together – and it is here’ – Benjamin Zephaniah
Fruit Tree provided one of the most exciting gigs of the season. Their music was innovative and refreshingly different. Looking forward to their return. Carole Eve Bell. Grove Inn Jazz Club Leeds
“the spoken word has never sounded better. Rommi’s jazz feel and knowledge sets her apart from others. A triumphant fusion of music and the spoken word” – Steve Crocker Seven Jazz and Chapel Allerton Arts Festival
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