corto.alto

corto.alto is a jazz project led by a Scottish performer who moves between live instrumentation, electronic production and hip-hop, soul and funk. The project's name is a nod to the performer's Irish-Spanish heritage.

The name is a nod to the performer's Irish-Spanish heritage and translates from Spanish as "short.tall". The performer trained formally at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and later took part in the music scene in Glasgow. The music draws on club culture and electronic forms, as well as classic hip-hop, soul and funk.

The debut album, Bad With Names, earned a nomination for the 2024 Mercury Music Prize. The follow-up, 30/108, was assembled from 108 demos and issued as 30 tracks across a single month, each paired with footage of a live performance. It favours spontaneous invention and improvisation over a rigid studio approach.

On stage, the project sits between live instrumentation and electronic sound design. corto.alto plays bass, synth, trombone and effects, and leads a group of musicians who are also close friends and regular collaborators. The evening takes place at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, a venue for concerts and shows.