Spice Jazz Soho Presents: Irene Serra’s ISQ

After 25 years of solid jazz promoting, as founded by Paul Pace, at the Spice of Life Soho, nurturing upcoming talents as well as established masters of the music, the SpiceJazz Team (Tara Minton and Clement Regert) are excited to relocate their acclaimed operation to the well-appointed and stylish music room of Crazy Coqs.

Irene Serra’s ISQ is a critically-acclaimed quartet from London that combines uplifting, elegant jazz-pop songs with powerful lyrics and Nordic Jazz sensibilities.

The band is formed of Irene Serra on vocals/synth/electronics (Wynton Marsalis, Norma Winstone, US3), Richard Sadler on double bass  (founding member of the Neil Cowley Trio), Chris Nickolls on drums (Andy Sheppard, Jean Touissant, Ola Onabule) and newest band member Luca Boscagin on guitar (Jason Rebello, Cinematic Orchestra, Jim Mullen).

With unique shades of rock and electronic music and Serra’s vocal performances described as “Billie Holiday meets Kate Bush”, this crossover jazz outfit embraces songwriting in its own inimitable style. The unique use of beautiful melodies, space, and surprising dynamics, coupled with Serra’s raw and evocative lyrics, weaves stories of a rare intensity. Undoubtedly, one of the most original bands on the scene.

In their 12th year since the release of their debut album and with a body of work that includes 4 critically acclaimed albums, ISQ’s performance tonight will include fresh arrangements of their most well-known tunes and a preview of new material from their forthcoming 5th album.

Line-up :
Irene Serra: (Vocals, Synth, Electronics)
Luca Boscagin: (Guitar, Electronics)
Richard Sadler: (Bass, Electronics)
Chris Nickolls: (Drums, Electronics)

“… Sublime Vocals…”– JAZZ FM

“…A group who hone in on the soulful possibilities offered by improvisatory music…”– CLASH MAGAZINE

“…ISQ are a melting pot of genres – jazz, pop, acoustic and experimental – which all blend together to entrancing effect…” – TIME OUT LONDON CRITICS CHOICE

“…Their arrangements draw on jazz, rock and electronic music, using the skills of the band’s individuals to the full, in music which is uniquely theirs…” – UK JAZZ

“…Performed midway between jazz and soul mode, Serra occupies terrain Billie Holiday would find familiar; Sade too…”– JAZZWISE
★★★★