Tommy Smith’s KARMA, Tues 19th March, £10/£8

Tommy Smith’s new quartet includes pianist/keyboardist Steve Hamilton and drummer Alyn Cosker off his 2005 Forbidden Fruit album, but this no less brilliant successor is very different. New is Kevin Glasgow on six-string electric bass, and the lingua franca has become an amalgam of Scottish, Irish and Arab folk elements spiced with funk, fusion and heavy metal. In lesser hands this could have been an exercise in multicultural retro-ish virtuosity, but the conceptual clarity binding these disparate ingredients together is Smith’s, whose tenor (he also plays soprano, shakuhachi and synth) is now the uniquely personal voice of a great player. He shines in a superb band that takes the music’s odd metres, rhythm shifts, convoluted lines and uptempo unison playing with staggering aplomb and a visceral precision and imaginative interplay that sweeps all before it.

Call us on 01688 302211 to book

Winner of Scottish Jazz Album of the Year Award 2012

Al Lewis, Tues 26th March, £8

In April 2011 Al was announced as the winner of Male Artist of the Year by BBC Radio Cymru in their Rock and Pop Awards and was personally invited by Cerys Matthews to support her at her sell-out show at the PJ Hall in Bangor, North Wales where they performed the song ‘Road Rage’ together on stage.

A busy summer of touring followed including performances with Anais Mitchell, Kitty Daisy & Lewis and The Webb Sisters. The year culminated with Al performing a 12 date UK tour alongside Irish singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, appearing at Swn Festival in Cardiff and being shortlisted for the inaugural Welsh Music Prize.

“constantly brilliant, luscious tunes and delicious harmonies‚ In the Wake is highly recommended” **** – Maverick Magazine

“an attractive, melodic collection of acoustic pop.” – Q Magazine

Call us on 01688 302211 to book

Coming up at Mull Theatre….

Tremble by Tidal Dance, Sunday 24th March, 7.30pm at Druimfin. £4

As A Boy Growing Up, Rodney Bewes, Friday 29th March, 8pm at Druimfin. £9/£6

Scottish Show Night, Saturday 30th March, 8pm at Druimfin. £6

Call 01688 302828 for info/to book

Source: An Tobar