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Tap Dance On Vinyl - Jazz Visionary Petra Haller’s Announces 'Shoulders I Stand On' Vinyl Release Tour, And New Project 'Orbit'

Tap Dance On Vinyl - Jazz Visionary Petra Haller’s Announces 'Shoulders I Stand On' Vinyl Release Tour, And New Project 'Orbit'

Courtesy Tatiana Gorilovsky

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Petra performed music through dance; and watching her we were reminded of the combination of concentrated attention and physicality at the root of every form of musical performance. You need neither a guru nor a medic to tell you that body and mind are one. Here was as vivid a demonstration of that fact as you’re every likely to see. The variety of sound combinations and rhythmic patterns she performed were a marvel.
—The Whitman Review
In a triumphant celebration of contemporary jazz, tap dancer and musician Petra Haller, announces the vinyl release tour of her debut Album Shoulders I Stand On. The tour commences on March 10 at the prestigious Anteros Arts Foundation in Norwich, moves to Piano Smithfield in London on March 12th, a stand out event with a double bill concert presenting Haller’s latest project “ORBIT” as the second set, Ashburton Arts Centre March 13th and concludes at the renowned Soundcellar Poole on March 14.

Hailed as one of Jazzwise Magazine's Rising Jazz Artists of 2020, Haller has carved a niche for herself in the jazz world over the last few years thanks to her fresh, dynamic approach to fusing tap dance with jazz and improvised music. Her collaboration with renowned pianist Meg Morley has added narrative depth to her creative explorations, enabling an inventive juxtaposition of harmony and the driving beat of tap dance in Shoulders I Stand On.

Morley, a Melbourne-born London-based musician, has spent her life threading her way through the complex landscape of music. Classically trained from the age of two, she possesses multifaceted expertise, having performed as a soloist with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, leading her own trio and playing for silent films.

Shoulders I Stand On, which received glowing reviews and four stars from All About Jazz, channels the artistic pioneers that have influenced Haller’s journey. Track titles like “Forever and a Day," “Call of the Birds," and “Fearless," poignantly explore the depths of contemporary jazz. This vinyl release promises not only to provide an immersive listening experience but also bridge a symbolic connection to the genre's storied past with an earnest, progressive vision of its future.

The Double Bill on the 12th of March promises a to be memorable evening at Piano Smithfield, London. In Addition to a first set of the Haller and Morley Duo, audiences will witness the live debut of “ORBIT," in the second set.

In this new ensemble, poetry finds its rhythm with spoken-word artist Jeffrey Durrant. Known as one of the most eloquent and creative voices within the improvised music scene, Durrant, has graced the stages of the Vortex Jazz Club and the Gibraltar World Music Festival, mesmerising audiences with his ability to improvise, create meaning in the moment, and feed off the energy of other musicians.

Standing alongside Haller and Durrant, an ensemble of accomplished artists lend their talents to “ORBIT”.

Maddalena Ghezzi, an Italian singer and improviser based in London, blends her passionate, creative vocals into the mix. Her work cleverly interweaves threads drawn from visual arts, literature, and the socio-political status of sociocultural realities.

Adding another layer to the multi-faceted performance is Kate Shortt, an acclaimed freelance cellist, vocalist, and workshop leader. Known for her varying genre performances ranging from Portuguese fado to contemporary, Shortt's work with pop artists, including Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet, has granted her an enviable versatility in her art.

Alcyona Mick, a widely recognized jazz pianist and composer, accessorizes the ensemble with her formidable skills. Recently nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Instrumentalist award, Mick’s experience performing internationally enhances the diverse musical influences of the collective.

Adding a dimension of visual artistry to the auditory landscape, renowned artist Natalie Webb will paint a live performance, capturing the rhythm, mood, and essence on her canvas. Webb, an ambidextrous artist, strives to capture the spontaneity of pace and movement using the fewest lines, emphasizing the space between the lines as much as the paint marks themselves, therefore creating evocative visual symphonies that punctuate the live performance.

This ensemble, guided by Haller's vision, illustrates a commitment to reinventing jazz by challenging its boundaries and incorporating diverse art forms.

The tour and vinyl release of Shoulders I Stand On aim to introduce audiences to an expanding jazz universe and promises not only to provide an immersive listening experience but also bridge a symbolic connection to the genre's storied past with an earnest, progressive vision of its future.

To uncover further details about the tour and to experience Shoulders I Stand On, please visit Petra Haller’s Website and Bandcamp page.

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