corto.alto
Le Poisson Rouge168B Bleecker Street, New York 10012
corto.alto plays Le Poisson Rouge on January 22. The bill names corto.alto alone, with no additional performers or live formation announced, so the focus is squarely on the project led by Liam Shortall. It is a full evening performance rather than a billed release show, tribute, guest appearance, or special set.
Glasgow-born multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Liam Shortall calls corto.alto his “brain-child.” He began with trombone and jazz, shaped by the big-band, blues and ska music around him at home. corto.alto’s debut album Bad With Names earned a Mercury Prize nomination. The later SOME SMALL FORTUNE includes collaborators Mick Jenkins, anaiis, Jacob Alon, BINA., Oscar Jerome, Vector, Terra Kin and Eriff, and traces the project’s reach beyond a single-player studio identity. No reviewers’ descriptions are available in the supplied material, but this date offers a chance to hear Shortall’s project in its live setting.
Le Poisson Rouge offers a versatile space where artistry meets nightlife, with a capacity of around 700 and a modular stage that adapts to diverse performances. The venue blends seated classical concerts with standing rock or DJ sets, creating a dynamic flow throughout the evening. Its design, by Walters-Storyk Design Group, ensures excellent acoustics and sightlines, allowing you to catch every detail from the front row to the back. The adjacent Gallery Bar provides a quieter spot with a small stage, perfect for more intimate moments. Expect a night that can shift from focused listening to lively dancing, with a full bar available but no full restaurant. Shows are ticketed, and buying ahead is recommended. The venue’s rich programming spans classical, indie, jazz, and more, reflecting its founders’ vision to fuse popular and art cultures in a single vibrant setting.