Robert Mitchell Explores New Horizons with Little Black Book

Diversity has always been at the heart of pianist, keyboardist, composer, and poet Robert Mitchell’s extraordinary career. From solo works and chamber collaborations to large-scale ensembles, Mitchell has consistently expanded the possibilities of modern jazz and improvised music. His latest project, Little Black Book, continues this journey with bold new directions—building on his legacy while sounding unlike anything he’s done before.

Born from his recent tenure as Artist in Residence at Morley College, Little Black Book draws inspiration from a wide range of influences: the heavy fusion brilliance of Chick Corea and Allan Holdsworth, the blues-drenched psychedelia of Jimi Hendrix, and the fearless multimedia explorations of Cecil Taylor. It’s a record that blends power, virtuosity, and imagination in equal measure.

Mitchell is joined by two exceptional collaborators: Laurie Lowe on drums and Zayn Mohammed on guitar. Together, they form a trio defined by chemistry, energy, and daring interplay.

“All the compositions were written specially with this trio in mind,” Mitchell explains. “The word jazz can be so limiting. Zayn brings in influences from the Middle East, India, rock, and blues, while Laurie is one of the most versatile drummers around—equally brilliant at interpreting arrangements or improvising fresh solutions on the spot. For myself, I’ve always been inspired by the harmonic daring of Geri Allen, the inventiveness of Django Bates, and the trailblazing freedom of Cecil Taylor, alongside the sonic worlds of synth pioneers like D-Train. It’s all in there.”

The album’s title carries both mystery and promise, perfectly suiting its expansive sound. From the thunderous opener “The Symbiote” to the meditative depth of “Peace in Mind,” and the raw Hendrix-inspired fire of “Jimi @ Granada,” Little Black Book offers a journey through rhythm, texture, and emotional color.

Mitchell also embraces new territory by diving into electronic keyboards, taking on multiple roles in the studio—sometimes the lead voice, sometimes the bass, sometimes the atmosphere in between. “It’s been exciting to explore the world of electronic keyboards in this way,” he says. “And it’s fulfilling a long-held dream to work more with guitar, realizing the sense of excitement and exploration it brings.”

Tracklist

1. The Symbiote

2. Consensus

3. I Greet The Universe (With All Your Person)

4. Blueprint (Of An Infinite Gift)

5. Jimi @ Granada

6. Within The Storm

7. Be The Change

8. Peace In Mind

9. Touchstone

Little Black Book is more than just an album—it’s the next chapter in Robert Mitchell’s ever-evolving artistic story. Each track is both a stand-alone statement and part of a larger tapestry of innovation, exploration, and deeply human creativity.