šMENT #2: corto.alto

We’re revealing the first artist for the new edition of šMENT!

corto.alto, a Mercury Prize nominee and one of the most exciting new voices in UK jazz, is coming to Ljubljana for the very first time with an explosive live show blending jazz, hip-hop, soul and electronic music.

The Glasgow-born composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer has earned widespread acclaim through his releases on Ninja Tune, winning over audiences and tastemakers alike, including legendary BBC radio host Gilles Peterson, who described him a child of Hiatus Kaiyote and Masters at Work.

“The Scottish musician redefining jazz for a new generation.”
The National

Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall, aka corto.alto, has had an incredible couple of years. His debut album Bad With Names was shortlisted for the iconic Mercury Prize (2024) and won ‘Best Album’ at the Scottish Jazz Awards. In 2025, he won ‘Act Of The Year’ at the Jazz FM Awards public vote with Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia the other two nominees, as well as UK Independent Breakthrough at the Aim Awards. 

Now signed to Ninja Tune, he’s released three singles ‘DON’T LISTEN’, ‘VANDAL’ and ‘APRIL’, which continue to showcase his natural ear for cross-pollination of styles. The tracks have received enormous radio support with over 3000 plays globally in less than 6 weeks as well as being on BBC 6 Music’s A-Playlist . ‘DON’T LISTEN’ was also included in the iconic ‘FC26’ soundtrack. 

His music is not just a reflection of his time spent as part of the burgeoning and fertile music scene in Glasgow, but equally an eclectic mix of influences that draw as much on his affinity with club-culture and electronic Music, as well as his love of classic hip-hop, soul and funk. Over the last two years, the band played over 150 shows, including festivals such as Glastonbury, We Out Here, Latitute, North Sea, Montreux and Cross The Tracks, along with a sold-out UK tour culminating in playing to 2000 people in his home town at the legendary Barrowland Ballroom. 

@corto.alto / Bandcamp

Organisation: MENT Ljubljana/Kino Šiška