Tori Handsley
London
As We Stand - New Album out now on Cadillac Records.
Tori Handsley – Electric Harp FX & Piano
Moses Boyd – Drums
Ruth Goller - Bass
Artist, producer and curator, Tori Handsley's punky attitude and innovative approach have made an indelible mark on the UK scene. Tori Handsley's unique style has seen her new album 'As We Stand' (featuring Mercury Prize nominated drummer/producer Moses Boyd) receive critical acclaim including featuring as one of The Guardian’s 30 Ones To Watch for 2021 as well as performing in session for BBC Radio 3 (J – Z), Radio 1Xtra (On the Spot) and BBC Radio 4 (Loose Ends); also earning plaudits from the likes of MOJO, Jazzwise, Downbeat, Record Collector, BBC Radio 6, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM, CLASH and more. ‘As We Stand’ perfectly exemplifies how Tori continues to turn expectations of her lead instrument, the harp, on their heads.
Tori Handsley emerges as a leader” The Guardian
Her raw style has also seen her working with the likes of Shabaka Hutchings (Comet is Coming), Sarathy Korwar, Moses Boyd, Binker Golding, Nikki Yeoh, Nubya Garcia, Jake Long, Pat Thomas, Evan Parker and Nigel Kennedy.
Tori collaborated with award-winning artists Binker & Moses, featuring on their albums Journey to the Mountain of Forever and Alive in the East, alongside Yussef Dayes, Evan Parker, Sarathy Korwar and Byron Wallen. One of the highlights of her career was touring with her childhood hero and world famous violinist Nigel Kennedy.
She is an active member of the community as a Performance Coach and as a curator and co-host of Freedom: The Art of Improvisation -voted One Of The Top 6 Sessions in the UK by the Evening Standard- with Orphy Robinson MBE, Cleveland Watkiss MBE and Straight No Chaser's Paul Bradshaw, a monthly night now running for over 5 years.
Tori has performed at Ronnie Scotts, Royal Albert Hall, The Jazz Cafe, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Total Refreshment Centre.
“The music itself is the message. On ‘Polar Retreat,’ you literally hear fragile polar ice caps melting” Downbeat Magazine
"Tori Handsley brings the stinging attack of an electric guitar" Financial Times Mike Hobart
"An inspirational force of energy" Moses Boyd ,Radio 1Xtra
"Pioneering new dimensions, expanding expectations and successfully reaching out to fresh audiences... Time to check her out." Paul Bradshaw, Straight no Chaser