“In time the album will serve as a milestone moment within the ongoing catalogue of corto.alto – not as the one and only but as the first of many.” 5/5 – UK Vibe

“So much musicality, so much ambition produces one of the best jazz albums of this year with Bad With Names” 4.5/5 - Written In Music (NL)

“Forward-thinking and exciting, Bad With Names marks a new high point for Jazz in Scotland.” 5/5 – The Skinny

Embark on a musical journey with corto.alto, the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer based in Glasgow. In his 2024 MERCURY PRIZE SHORLTLISTED debut album, “Bad With Names”, Liam Shortall weaves together a tapestry of musical genres, seamlessly blending intuitive improvisation with intricate electronic production. The result is a mesmerizing fusion that challenges the very boundaries of contemporary jazz, appealing to cross-genre audiences including electronica, Nu-Jazz and beyond.

TOUR DATES

8 February 2024 – Meraki – Liverpool – UK
11 February 2024 – Bimhuis – Amsterdam – NL
13 February 2024 – Clare Cellars – Cambridge – UK
14 February 2024 – Kings Place – London – UK
16 February 2024 – DUST – Brighton – UK
17 February 2024 – Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich – UK
18 February 2024 – The Crescent – York – UK
13 March 2024 – Jassmine – Warsaw – PL 
14 March 2024 – Det Gamle Elværk – Kolding – DK 
15 March 2024 – Musikcafeen – Copenhagen – DK 
16 March 2024 – Turkis – Aarhus – DK
18 March 2024 – Gretchen – Berlin – DE 
22 March 2024 – Aberdeen Jazz Festival – Aberdeen – UK 
27 March 2024 – Rough Trade East – London – UK 
5 April 2024 – Moods – Zurich – CH

4 May 2024 – Ribble Valley Jazz Festival – UK
6 May 2024 – Cheltenham Jazz Festival – Cheltenham – UK
23 May 2024 – Band On The Wall (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Manchester – UK
25 May 2024 – Turner Sims – Southampton – UK 
26 May 2024 – Cross The Tracks – London – UK 
29 May 2024 – Concorde 2 (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Brighton – UK 
30 May 2024 – Junction 2 (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Cambridge – UK 
31 May 2024 – The Globe (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Cardiff – UK
1 June 2024 – Bristol Beacon (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Bristol – UK
7 June 2024 – The Leadmill (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – Sheffield – UK
16 June 2024 – Eden Festival – Dumfries & Galloway – UK
19 June 2024 – Outernet (supporting Nubiyan Twist) – London – UK

5 July 2024 – Jazz In The Park – Cluj-Napoca – RO
7 July 2024 – Kelburn Garden Party – Fairlie – UK 
12 July 2024 – North Sea Jazz Festival – Rotterdam – NL 
14 July 2024 – Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul – Birmingham – UK
16 July 2024 – Montreaux Jazz Festival – Montreaux – CH
27 July 2024 – Green Island Festival – Manchester – UK

15-18 August 2024 – We Out Here – Wimborne St Giles – UK
31 August 2024 – Jazz:Re:Found – Cella Monte – IT
6 September 2024 – Ricci Weekender – Catania – IT
21 September 2024 – Bozar – Brussels – BE
19 October 2024 – Stockholm Jazz Festival – Stockholm – SE
25 October 2024 – Bologna Jazz Festival – Bologna – IT
27 October 2024 – Deutches Jazz Festival – Frankfurt – DE
2 November 2024 – Birdfest – Rotterdam – NL

4 November 2024 – Thekla – Bristol – UK
9 November 2024 – Village Underground – London – UK
10 November 2024 – Headrow House – Leeds – UK
14 November 2024 – Yes Pink Room – Manchester – UK

‘Bad With Names” is already turning heads with support from Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2 and Gilles Peterson on BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM. Whilst major streaming platforms have also shown their approval with a series of high-profile playlist placements. From Spotify’s and Jazz UK to Apple Music’s New Music Daily and Jazz Currents, corto.alto is everywhere you want it to be.

With strong roots in performance Shortall has assembled a live ensemble featuring some of the UK’s most promising jazz talents. Their October 2023 UK album tour, including an electrifying sold-out performance at the Jazz Café in London, is a testament to the growing appreciation for corto.alto’s music and reputation as a formidable live force.

“Bad With Names” is out now and is setting the jazz world ablaze. It is available on LP, CD, and digitally through New Soil x Bridge The Gap. Your ears will thank you!