Cloudmakers Trio

Friday 27 March 2026
Crookes Social Club,
8.00-10.45 pm, doors open 7.20 pm

Jim Hart: vibraphone
Michael Janisch: bass
Dave Smith: drums/percussion
photo credit Alex Bonney

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Cloudmakers Trio brings together three of the most inventive players on the UK scene and blends downtown New York and European improvised music with world and rock influences. Since Jim Hart first came together with Michael Janisch and Dave Smith to create this project their original vision – to match the textural density of a piano trio, but instead headed up by vibraphone – places exhilarating improvisation at the core. This has grown and sustained an international touring career, keeping them at the forefront of contemporary instrumental music. Through all their various collaborations, the vibes-bass-drums trio has remained the core of the Cloudmakers’ sound.

“The Cloudmakers Trio brings together three of the most inventive players on the UK scene.” – All About Jazz

“This vibraphone-led trio display phenomenal musicianship and a knack for getting out of tight corners, there’s no mistaking the musicianship and phenomenal togetherness of all three” – Dave Gelly, The Guardian

‘Live at the Pizza Express’, the trio’s first release, features guest trumpeter Ralph Alessi. Their second album, ‘Abstract Forces’ was listed as an album of the year by Downbeat and Jazzwise Magazines. Two more live albums followed: ‘AJMILIVE #7’ and ‘Traveling Pulse’, featuring Antonin-Tri Hoang, alto saxophone & clarinet and Hannes Riepler, guitar. Their latest album ‘A Drop of Hope in the Ocean of Uncertainty’ featuring guest Leo Genovese on piano was released in 2024.

https://cloudmakerstrio-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/a-drop-of-hope-in-the-ocean-of-uncertainty

Jim Hart is one of the most in-demand musicians on the European jazz and alternative music scene. Now living in France, Jim has played the likes of Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Marius Neset and Daniel Erdmann’s Velvet Revolution. He has been the recipient of multiple British jazz awards and listing in Downbeat magazine readers’ and critics’ polls.
https://www.jimhart.co.uk/

“One of the brightest stars on the UK and European Jazz scene” – John Surman

Michael Janisch is a tireless creative force across contemporary improvised and experimental music. Originally from the USA he is a MOBO-Award nominated musician, composer, producer and owner of Whirlwind Recordings. His has toured & recorded with some of the most creative improvisers in jazz including Lee Konitz, John O’Gallagher, Walter Smith III, Jeff Williams and Greg Osby.
https://www.michaeljanisch.com

“Michael Janisch is a commanding bassist, who brings a sinewy thrust to the ensemble with masterful agility”- Downbeat Magazine

Dave Smith has played with bands such as Arnie Somogyi’s Ambulance, Peter King’s Quartet and Mark Lockheart’s ‘In Deep’ band as well as performing with artists such as Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Afro-Blues group Juju, Donny McCaslin, Eddie Henderson, Ingrid Jenson and Ralph Alessi and is co-founder of the Loop Collective.
https://www.davesmithdrums.live/

Video Links

Ticket Prices

Full – £18
Over 60, disabled, unemployed – £16
18 – 30 year olds, student with NUS card – £10
15 – 17 year olds – £5
Under 15s – Free

We encourage you to book tickets online in advance, to avoid missing out and to make life easier for our Door Team.  It will be possible to pay for entry at the door (preferably by contactless payment) if seats are available.

Advance tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz