Nishla Smith at Upstairs At Ronnie Scott’s

Vocalist and songwriter Nishla Smith has quietly established herself as one of the most distinctive voices in UK jazz – a natural storyteller whose music balances intimacy, imagination and emotional depth.

Nishla Smith's new album it’s getting late you’d better go home (scheduled for release on Whirlwind Recordings in spring 2026) was written during a time of personal upheaval, its songs exploring 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 voice....

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Vocalist and songwriter Nishla Smith has quietly established herself as one of the most distinctive voices in UK jazz – a natural storyteller whose music balances intimacy, imagination and emotional depth.

Nishla Smith's new album it’s getting late you’d better go home (scheduled for release on Whirlwind Recordings in spring 2026) was written during a time of personal upheaval, its songs exploring 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 voice.

For this show, Nishla will be joined by a hand-picked quintet of close collaborators: Tom Harris (piano), Josh Vadiveloo (bass), Kai Chareunsy (drums), and Aaron Wood (trumpet). Expect elegant songwriting, subtle improvisation and the quiet command of an artist at the height of her storytelling powers.

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