Artfullee – Giacomo Smith Quartet

Giacomo Smith’s Artfullee is a straight-ahead jazz quartet album built on trust, spontaneity and the chemistry between four musicians who know each other intimately. Featuring Smith alongside pianist Joe Webb, bassist Anders Fjeldsted and drummer Snorre Kirk, the album took shape naturally in the studio, with as few instructions as possible.

Smith brought six original compositions to the session, but no written charts. Instead, he taught sketches to the band by ear and allowed the musicians to react freely to one another. The result captures the personal connection developed through years of playing together, with melody and attentive listening at the center of the music.

Smith has become a central, award-winning figure in British jazz, notably as the former leader of Kansas Smitty’s, a band that drew inspiration from swing and blues while building on jazz tradition without simply recreating it. On Artfullee, he plays soprano and alto saxophones, clarinet and bass clarinet, choosing each instrument according to the character of the composition.

The album marks a new chapter for Smith. His acclaimed debut Manouche explored the Django Reinhardt tradition alongside guitarist Moses Rosenberg. Here, for the first time, Smith leads a straight-ahead jazz quartet through his own compositions. His long collaboration with Kirk helped give him the confidence to step forward as the sole horn player and bandleader.

Mostly set in minor keys, Artfullee is pensive and atmospheric without becoming overly nostalgic or sad. Smith describes it as “night music,” inspired by travel, solitude and the reflective journey home after a gig. The music carries a sense of nocturnal romance, balancing openness and freedom with memorable melodies.

Artfullee is an intimate second statement from a distinctive artist, surrounded by musicians whose shared history allows the music to breathe, respond and unfold in the moment.