One of the most exciting acts currently taking the UK jazz scene by storm. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, this genre-defying band bring together influences from Hip-Hop, Broken Beat, Electronica, Dub and Punk with an informed Jazz sensibility.

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Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues are thrilled to welcome one of the newest, brightest, and most exciting acts currently taking the UK jazz scene by storm, to headline this year’s Saturday programme.
corto.alto is the brainchild of award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer & producer Liam Shortall. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, this genre-defying producer brings together influences from Hip-Hop, Broken Beat, Electronica, Dub and Punk with an informed Jazz sensibility.

Liam cut his teeth playing trombone in Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and making beats in his bedroom.

In their debut album, “Bad With Names”, corto.alto weave together a tapestry of musical genres, seamlessly blending intuitive improvisation with intricate electronic production. The result is a mesmerising fusion that challenges the very boundaries of contemporary jazz, appealing to cross-genre audiences including electronica, Nu-Jazz and beyond.

Championed by Gilles Peterson, Jamie Cullum, BBC 6 Music and Jazzwise the summer of 2023 saw corto.alto play Glastonbury, Love Supreme and Barcelona’s Jamboree Jazz Club, followed by a sold-out UK tour to promote the album, including packed London Jazz Cafe and Glasgow QMU.

corto.alto is standing tall, holding the torch for Glasgow and ready to rip up the rulebook in the process.

Liam has been making music in Glasgow for ten years. The corto.alto collective of musician friends that has developed includes some of the UK’s finest young players.

Line-Up:
Liam Shortall : various instruments x electronics

Graham Costello : Drums x SPD

Mateusz Sobieski : Alto sax

Fergus Mcreadie : Keys

Harry Weir : Tenor sax

James Mckay: Guitar

Luca Pisano : bass