corto.alto

corto.alto are playing at The Old Market in Hove on Saturday 14 November 2026. The 8-piece ensemble, led by multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Liam Shortall, brings their distinct, genre-blending sound to the venue for a 19:30 start.

The project is known for fusing jazz with hip-hop, broken beat, electronics, dub, and punk. Shortall, who trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has been a prominent figure in the Glasgow music scene for some time. His work has gained significant backing from Gilles Peterson and regular airplay across BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, and BBC Scotland. Recently, the group released the single WHODIS, a collaboration with rapper Mick Jenkins on the Ninja Tune label. Listeners might also recognise their track DON'T LISTEN, which appeared on the FC26 soundtrack.

The name corto.alto is a nod to Shortall’s Irish-Spanish heritage, translating to 'short.tall' in Spanish. The band’s output has been critically recognised, with his debut album Bad With Names earning a nomination for the 2024 Mercury Music Prize and winning 'Best Album' at the Scottish Jazz Awards. Before that, he undertook the 30/108 project, a creative exercise that involved releasing 30 tracks over 30 consecutive days, showcasing his ability to move between genres rapidly. This approach to composition, which often sees him layering electronic textures with live instrumentation, is central to the live experience the 8-piece band delivers. The ensemble format allows them to recreate the complex arrangements found on these records, moving between the different styles that define their sound.

The venue, The Old Market, is a renovated cultural space on Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS, with a capacity that typically holds between 200 and 500 people. The show is open to anyone aged 14 and over, though those under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Tickets for the performance are priced at £21.00.