Rommi Smith and the Fruit Tree Project

Poetry meets Jazz on Sun 31 Oct with Rommi Smith (poetry) Phil Meadows (saxes) Dave Evans (piano) Alex Wilbrew (drums) and Colin Sutton (bass)

Leeds based Rommi Smith is a poet and playwright, who works to fuse spoken word and music together. She has been performing her work since the age of 14. A spellbinding, dynamic and powerful performer, Rommi works in collaboration with dancers, music producers and musicians to create a synthesis of lyrical spoken and sung word.

She has held numerous residencies including most recently, Parliamentary Writer in Residence; her specific focus, in this post, was an exploration of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Parliamentary act to abolish the slave trade and this is the first post of its kind in history. She has been British Council Poet in Residence at California State University in Los Angeles and BBC Writer in Residence for the Commonwealth Games. Selected Poems from Mornings and Midnights is a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice. Her work has been nominated for a South Bank Show Award. The full collection, Mornings and Midnights is due from Peepal Tree Press. She was writer in residence for the Florence Nightingale Museum, London. She is delighted to have just been appointed Poet in Residence for the Romantic Poet, John Keats’ House, in Hampstead, London. Website: http://www.rommi-smith.co.uk
 

The musicians with Rommi are the "Fruit Tree Project" (pictured left), favourites of the Seven Jazz audience led by the skilled and energetic pianist (and Garforth Festival organiser) Dave Evans. They take on grooves and at times semi-free excitement equally to create a thrilling array of sounds. Tart and sweet by turn, but never syrupy, you’re enticed to taste and enjoy. Website: http://www.myspace.com/fruittreeproject
 

Seven Jazz has a good vibe, friendly people and a fun raffle with seven (of course) prizes. Families are welcome. Why not have your Sunday lunch served for you while you watch the music

 Date: Sunday Oct 31st.  Doors open 1pm, music starts 1.30pm-4pm. Cost £5/4 concessions. Kids under 16 free.