Ep 75 Robert Mitchell

Luke spoke to the musician Robert Mitchell about his life as a
creative artist and the importance of music and other arts to
society and, more broadly, for humankind.


Robert Mitchell is one of the most significant voices in British
jazz. Multi-faceted creator, pianist, keyboardist, composer,
improviser, writer, poet and so much more. He is a relentless
seeker and thinker, encompassing many art forms, musical genres
and constantly pushing the envelope. In the last year he has
released the extremely contrasting albums “Hold The Light/The New
Resistance' DOF004 (from his unit TRUE THINK) and 'Towards The
Flame' 577 Records (from the improv trio The Flame). He has
released 13 albums.


Robert is a throwback to the powerful tradition of artistic
mastery in pursuit of transcendence. He is proud to have been a
Steinway artist since 2009. He was MD on the successful BBC4
television programme ‘Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only’ which
won the British Broadcasting Award. He has played with Billy
Harper, Greg Osby, Courtney Pine CBE, Alicia Olatuja, Orphy
Robinson, Steve Coleman, Phil Ranelin, Omar Puente, Ernesto
Simpson, Daymé Arocena, Jason Rebello, Shirley Smart, Basement
Jaxx, Dub Colossus, Daniel Casimir, Joshua Redman, Jacqui
Dankworth MBE, and many others. Robert Mitchell’s works have been
performed by the Grammy-winning Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and
the London Sinfonietta, amongst others. He is a sought-for
composer and known as an innovator with a distinct, unique voice.


Robert has performed solo piano since the 90s. Recent concerts
include Romania, Derby, Coventry, London with more on the way
this year in Newcastle, Brighton and Bristol. His 2020
album The Rainbow Mountain/Can We Care' - was a near 40 min
improvisation (completed with one of his original songs - live at
the Jazz Cafe, London). Solo performances now include original
music, Classical, Jazz, improvisations, left hand only, inside
piano and poetry. He releases his second collection of poetry
later this year - on Common Tone Press. 


 Robert is a Professor of Jazz Piano (Guildhall School Of
Music And Drama), Piano Lecturer (Leeds Conservatoire) and Piano
teacher at YMM.  


https://robertmitchell.bandcamp.com/album/hold-the-light-the-new-resistance-dof0004


https://twitter.com/robertmitchellm


https://www.instagram.com/robertmitchellmusic/