“You need to go hunt this down. They’re making incredible music!” Tony Minvielle – Jazz FM
Coming from different social backgrounds albeit from the same town, Ajit Gill and Theo Howarth might have never crossed paths had it not been for a chance meeting when both were working as techs on tour. Finding a shared love of groove, Nu-Jazz, and Broken Beat quickly found them writing and recording together. The resulting burst of shared musical ideas traversing spiritual Nu-Jazz, Dilla-inspired hip-hop and Neo-Soul, gave birth to Vertaal, the duo developing a passion for the freedom and raw expression of the music.
Vertaal have been a notable presence in capital over the last couple of years. Tipped as “ones to watch for 2019” by Jazz re:freshed and for 2021 by BBC Introducing, Vertaal played an exclusive pick of sold out shows at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Soho and the Jazz Café.
They have also supported the likes of Mark Guiliana (David Bowie), & Pete Ray Biggin (Level 42) and finished off 2019 guesting for Richard Spaven at The Cambridge Jazz Festival.
Vertaal first mixtape, Paradigm Shifting had a soft digital released on the 23rd April 2020, on Vertaal’s Empty Quarter Tribe imprint, then a hard release on double vinyl a year later with new mixes and tracks. The initial numbered pressing on coloured vinyl sold out on release.
Nominated by Jazz Revelations for EP of 2020, the album was supported by a single, Alcazar b/w Husky.
Ajit Gill – Drums
Theo Howarth – Keys
Raj Bumia (Guest) – Bass
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While we have received some funds to bring the weekly back, we still need your donations to bolster artists income for these shows and further support the work of Jazz re:freshed https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/jazz-re-freshed-weekly-vertaal
Thank you for your generosity and we hope you enjoy the show!
