Letham Nights #88 - Esther Swift - The Small

Letham Nights presents sensational harpist, Esther Swift

Esther is well-known to the Letham Nights audience both as an opening act and for her contribution to the wonderful show by The Other back in 2023. Her reputation in Fife has since rocketed following her collaboration this summer at the East Neuk Festival for the sold out 'Zulu Voyage', a wonderful composition telling the story of the 'Zulu' fishing boats that journeyed far and wide from Fife harbours. Esther composed and conducted the piece, involving Fife musicians of all ages from St Andrews Music Project, the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra and the East Fife Community Ensemble.

And now she brings her acclaimed Edinburgh International Book Festival commission 'The Small' to Letham Nights, setting the poetry of former Makar, Jackie Kay, to music.

‘The Small’, uses four singers, double bass, spoken word and harp to explore themes of grief, ritual, peace and inter-generational protest. Esther performs alongside classical performers Sarah Shorter, Rosie Lavery, Poppy Shotts and Andrew Robb in an emotionally affecting and eclectic mix of folk, jazz and classical music. It's a heartstopper!

What they say...

“Celestial" - Shamira Ahmed, Front Row
“Björk-esque” ★★★★★ - Edinburgh Reporter
"Esther Swift is a monster musician. Be Very afraid” - Chris Wood, Argus

​“mesmerising and ... heavenly” The Light Gatherer review, jazzwise Magazine

“captivating” Rob Harbers, Ambient Light