Petra Haller Presents ORBIT: On the Wings of Freedom – Live Recording November 11, 2024 – Vortex Jazz Club, London
Tap dancer and interdisciplinary artist Petra Haller announces On the Wings of Freedom, the first of three live recording sessions from her latest project, ORBIT. Taking place on November 11, 2024, at the prestigious Vortex Jazz Club in London, this performance is a tribute to the Freedom of Art improvisation sessions, where Haller first developed her improvisational voice. Held on the second Monday of November, this concert honors the legacy of those sessions and their profound impact on Haller’s artistic journey.
Following the release of her live album Live at St Mary’s, featuring Loz Speyer on trumpet and Meg Morley on piano, and her critically acclaimed debut studio album Shoulders I Stand On, Haller is now ready to embark on her most ambitious project to date. ORBIT – On the Wings of Freedom is the first of three live recording sessions, each featuring a different lineup of musicians, allowing for unique explorations of rhythm, sound, and collaboration in every performance.
ORBIT is conceptually inspired by the planet Saturn and its moons, with music acting as the gravitational force that binds together a constellation of diverse artistic voices. Each performer in ORBIT represents a unique artistic body, much like Saturn’s moons, orbiting around a shared center of improvisation. In this cosmic metaphor, music becomes the unifying element, with the artists converging to celebrate both individuality and collective expression. Known for her innovative use of tap dance as a percussive instrument, Haller challenges traditional boundaries of jazz and improvised music by merging movement and sound in groundbreaking ways.
ORBIT will feature some of the most exciting and accomplished talents in contemporary music. Tori Freestone (saxophone/flute), an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer, is known for her fluid melodic invention and critically acclaimed projects, including her trio and duo work. Freestone was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Jazz Composition in 2022 for her album Birds of Paradise. Sacha Harlan (drums), a 21-year-old rising star, brings a unique blend of prog rock and metal influences to his jazz performances. Having been mentored by Dave King of The Bad Plus, Harlan’s powerful and energetic drumming style has earned him a distinctive place in the UK jazz scene. Tom O’Brien (piano), a 23-year-old pianist and composer from Leeds, is known for his playful yet challenging approach to improvisation, drawing on a wide range of influences from contemporary and traditional genres.
Kate Shortt (cello), a genre-defying improviser, vocalist, and workshop leader, adds a rich, emotive depth to the ensemble. With experience spanning classical, jazz, Portuguese fado, and contemporary theatre, Shortt has worked with pop icons like Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) and toured extensively with jazz legends. Jeffrey Durrant (spoken word), renowned for his spontaneous, evocative poetry, brings a powerful narrative voice to the ensemble. Known for his ability to create meaning in the moment, Durrant’s performances are deeply connected to the energy of his musical collaborators, adding a unique layer of storytelling to ORBIT.
Tap Dance and Jazz: A Historic and Evolving Dialogue
In her work, Haller continues a long tradition of integrating tap dance with jazz. Historically, tap dance has been a key element of jazz culture, with legendary figures like Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Gregory Hines using their feet as rhythmic instruments. As jazz evolved, so did tap dance, although the two art forms diverged at times, particularly as jazz moved toward more experimental forms. Petra Haller is now part of a movement bringing tap back into the heart of jazz, not just as an accompaniment but as a fully integrated percussive voice.
By reimagining tap as a leading instrument in her performances, Haller helps forge a future for both jazz and dance, showcasing tap’s rhythmic sophistication and dynamic expressiveness within the context of improvised music.
About Petra Haller
Petra Haller has established herself as one of the most innovative figures in the contemporary jazz and improvisation scene. Her fresh approach to tap dance, using it as a rhythmic and musical instrument, has earned her critical acclaim. Haller’s work is shaped by her extensive experience performing in interdisciplinary collaborations and improvisational settings across the UK and Europe. ORBIT represents her most ambitious project to date, offering audiences a new way to experience the convergence of sound, movement, and improvisation.
ORBIT: On the Wings of Freedom promises to take audiences on a dynamic journey, where music, dance, and spoken word come together in a unique and cosmic improvisational experience. The performance marks the beginning of a thrilling exploration of individuality, unity, and the boundless potential of live collaboration.
Performance Details:
Date: November 11, 2024 (Second Monday of November)
Venue: Vortex Jazz Club, London
For more information, contact: petrahaller01@gmail.com
