THE Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet are a group of musicians who are highly accomplished individuals but for whom playing together as a unit is far more important.

This is no ‘singer plus band’ set-up, but rather a fully integrated quartet where Sylwia Bialas’ voice is used as an instrument as much as those of the other players.

They also have an impressive range of collaborations that have included such important musicians as Tim Garland, Gilad Atzmon and Larry Coryell.

THE Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet are the guests of Calstock Arts tomorrow (Friday).

The quartet is Asaf Sirkis – drums and composer, Sylwia Bialas – vocals and composer, Frank Harrison – piano, Kevin Glasgow – bass.

Unsurprisingly, considering their backgrounds, they have garnered influences from around the world and crossing genres including classical, folk, Polish, South Indian and Middle Eastern. These are expressed in the most delicate ballads all the way to high energy, electric virtuoso.

Expect soulful melodies, atmospheric sounds with strong grooves, full colour electro-acoustic jazz with an ethnic touch and some lesser known instruments and sound effects.

The quartet’s album, Come To Me has received effusive praise around the world, perhaps the most admiring containing such lines as ‘a true tour-de-force of musicianship and innovation’ and ‘a masterpiece – a musical experience without peer!’ (Jazz-Rock USA, John Prichard).

Reference is made elsewhere to Sirkis’ “detailed sensitive, immaculately detailed drumming’ and Bialas’ voice as “wordlessly, elegantly soaring and adventurous” (Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann).

Clearly this promises to be a fantastic evening of Jazz.

Asaf and Sywia are pictured below.